Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and sinusitis as the evidence did not show that these conditions were aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence. The Veteran's hearing testimony indicates he continues to experience pain in these joints since his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, right elbow, and bilateral knee disabilities require additional examinations to determine their current severity. The cases are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease/arthritis, major depression, lumbar radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis (left foot), and right shoulder osteoarthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and arthritis of the shoulders. The cervical spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral arm conditions are remanded due to lack of a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis and left knee arthritis, finding that new evidence supports a positive nexus to service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding right shoulder disability, TBI, right leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, right ankle, left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left ankle, ingrown toenail, and headaches. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence. The respiratory condition, left shoulder disorder, and throat condition (larynx) are all under review.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including any associated neurological impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbosacral spondylosis, and central serous retinopathy of the left eye have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate rating for laxity of the left knee has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder injuries, back pain, radiculopathy, and PTSD. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder. However, the issue of service connection for his left shoulder disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to ongoing complaints of wrist, neck, shoulder, ankle, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and epididymo-orchitis disorders. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.