Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment for the period from June 10, 2015 through March 21, 2018. As his combined evaluation during this period was at least 90 percent, which is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service-connected, but the claims for other conditions are either dismissed or remanded.,The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder injury status post left Mumford procedure is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disorder was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left shoulder bursitis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for migraines and right knee disability due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (major depressive disorder) have been granted. The right shoulder disability claim remains denied.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, right wrist, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, cardiovascular disability, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability due to an over two-decade gap in continuity of care and lack of evidence linking his current condition to service. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and lipoma of the right shoulder, were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period. The Board denied service connection for these conditions on the basis that they are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left shoulder dislocation due to new and material evidence, but it is still remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection.,The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and the Board denied service connection for his left ear sensorineural hearing loss disability.,The Veteran lost teeth 7, 8, and 9 due to an August 1964 motor vehicle accident. The Board found that there was no loss of substance of the maxilla or mandible resulting from this trauma, and thus denied service connection for his dental disability.

The Board has vacated its May 16, 2018 decision and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, low back pain, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain missing medical records and ensure proper consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from the November 2017 VA examiners. The claim will be returned for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions addressing the etiology of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities have been denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability has been remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities, with the effective date being throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of tinnitus is dismissed. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of his hearing. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains at 40 percent and TDIU is remanded.