Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and left ankle condition due to new evidence being added to the record. The VA examiner is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding the onset of the left ankle condition during or related to active duty, as well as whether it clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service in December 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity paresthesia (left ulnar neuropathy) as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The reduction in evaluation from 40% to 30% for the left shoulder disability was found to be proper.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for right shoulder instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for a back condition, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis and separation, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The October 2001 rating decision denying service connection for a right shoulder disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The appeal is denied.,The October 2001 rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his military service.,His left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, multiple joint pain, and eye disorder (claimed as lack of depth perception) conditions are also not shown to be related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder claimed as memory loss is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cataracts of both eyes, obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (claimed as sleep apnea), arthritis of knees, bilateral, arthritis of shoulders, bilateral, DDD at C4-5, C5-6, and C6-7, spondylosis with foraminal impingement at C5-6 and C6-7, claimed as arthritis of the neck, right shoulder tendonitis, tendonitis of both wrists, and spurs in fingers of both hands is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder prevents him from maintaining substantially gainful employment due to its impact on his work and school abilities, as well as his physical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board found that his claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a rating of 20% for residuals from a right ankle fracture. The low back condition, right leg strain, posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and cyst of maxillary sinus are all found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for cervical DDD, multiple joint arthritis (right shoulder and bilateral knees), left knee replacement, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hammer toe as the evidence did not show these conditions began during a period of active duty or training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for reopening of the hip, low back, and leg disorders were granted but only as to their reopening status.,The neurological disorder affecting bilateral lower extremities and right shoulder disorder are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's pelvic disability is related to her active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, shoulder, back, and ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder condition, specifically his service connection claim. The examiner is required to review all pertinent records and provide a medical nexus opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s right shoulder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis and degenerative rotator cuff of the shoulders, bilateral osteoarthritis and degenerative labral tears of the hips, bilateral osteoarthritis of the ankles, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the feet. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his parachute jumps in service.

All appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims are dismissed.