Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder disability, and the claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition as secondary to his already service-connected ruptured right biceps. The decision is based on the opinion that the current right shoulder disability is related to prior trauma, specifically a parachute jump accident in 1965.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's thoracolumbar, left shoulder, and lower extremity nerve conditions. The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for hypothyroidism is granted, and he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, right shoulder arthritis and tendonitis, depression, bilateral leg cramps, thyroid disability, and osteoporosis have been granted. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded.

All issues are remanded for further evaluation and clarification of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various conditions, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The cause of death is also under review.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30% effective from the date of his claim, February 1, 2018. The Board denied an earlier effective date as there was no written claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least in equipoise whether the condition was caused by service. The right shoulder disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.,Service connection for a heart disorder secondary to hypertension is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for carpel tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted, and his acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The claim for residuals of a head injury was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, has been reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder and right hip disabilities.

The July 2004 rating decision assigned initial 10 percent ratings for recurrent right and left shoulder subluxation disabilities, but the Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates.,Issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders are still pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of a higher rating due to limited motion.,The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the right radial head are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiner found no functional impairment and normal range of motion.,For status post right fibular fracture, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent from September 15, 2014 onwards. Prior to this date, the Veteran's disability was considered asymptomatic. After September 15, 2014, the VA examiner found moderate limited motion of the ankle.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur is rated at 10 percent from May 11, 2015 to September 12, 2016. After this date, the disability is rated higher than 50 percent.,Hypertension is not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,Left ankle scars associated with status post left ankle open reduction internal fixation surgery are currently rated as noncompensable.,Surgical scar status post open reduction internal fixation right fibula fracture is also rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include left shoulder, left ankle, and eye disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded. The Board also finds that the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and back disability have been granted. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence, while the claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened.