Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, and his initial disability rating for chronic anterior inferior labrum tear with left shoulder instability prior to March 6, 2012 was granted at a 20% level.

The Veteran's back brace is judged to cause wear and tear on his clothing, which meets the criteria for a clothing allowance. The medication used for his shoulder condition does not qualify for an additional allowance.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including neck and shoulder muscle spasms, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its relationship to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities, but has remanded issues regarding knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder derangement, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's right shoulder derangement was not caused by service as there were no complaints or findings of the condition during service. Prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus type II were also not linked to service because the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam.,The Board found that the Veteran's military duties, including his role as an electronic computer systems repairman, did not place him near the air base perimeter where Agent Orange exposure could have occurred.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including spurring of the cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral knee condition with total replacements, left shoulder condition, elbow residuals, and bilateral foot condition. The decision was based on a lack of evidence establishing a relationship between these conditions and active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depression, and his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent from February 21, 2012 and 30 percent from August 3, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for left shoulder disorder and right ankle disorder, finding that the September 2004 rating decision became final due to lack of appeal or submission of new and material evidence within a year.

The Board has denied service connection for a breathing disability, but has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, right arm tingling (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome), cervical spine disability, and mixed tension and vascular headaches.,Further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, but the issues of service connection for a back condition, neck condition and nervous disorder are remanded due to outstanding records.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity numbness as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's statements were found less persuasive than the other evidence of record.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and traumatic brain injury (TBI), but has remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury residuals are not service-connected.,The Veteran's neck injury residuals are not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is not established.,Service connection for food poisoning residuals is not established.,Service connection for a chronic lung disability is not established.,A higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to April 27, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine injury but denied service connection for a right shoulder injury. The lumbar spine injury is considered to be due to an in-service injury, while the right shoulder injury is not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and depression have been granted. The claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for left shoulder disability has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.