Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination and the need for additional testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the left shoulder disability claim, while the cervical spine disability claim was reopened based on new evidence showing a diagnosis of chronic neck pain. Service connection for heart disorder and respiratory disability were not established due to lack of current diagnoses or functional impairment. The mood disorder claim is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids. However, it granted service connection for proctitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various lower and upper extremity disorders, as well as a left shoulder disorder, to allow for additional development. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including left ankle, knee, shoulder, low back, foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression have been reopened. The remaining claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% prior to July 27, 2016 and 70% thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD.,An earlier effective date of April 19, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and dismissed claims for sleep apnea, hypertension. The Veteran's appeals of other issues have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, heart disability, inflammatory joint disability (gout), left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and skin disability. The issues are related to direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder was dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal during his July 2018 Board hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck, right shoulder, and right knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder injury, back condition, bilateral knee injury, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (claimed as prostate problem).,There is no evidence of any in-service disease, injury, or event that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to address the ameliorative effect of medication. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his range of motion does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in January 2013 and June 2014. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's post-operative right shoulder capsulorrhaphy with arthrosis and arthritis is rated 20 percent, while his chronic hepatitis is evaluated based on the number of incapacitating episodes. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating of left leg disability, service connection for back, shoulder, and foot disabilities, as well as hemorrhoids, all secondary to service-connected left leg disability. Additional development is needed including new VA examinations.