Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral hip disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder as secondary to a back disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence supported his claim of in-service noise exposure and persistent symptoms since service.,A VA hearing loss examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss, which may be related to service. He testified that he experienced hearing loss during service and since then.,The Veteran's headaches were remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran testified that his symptoms began in service and have persisted.,A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and cause of any right shoulder disability, including pain. The Veteran testified about an injury during boot camp which he avoided seeking treatment for fear of retribution.,The Veteran's right knee disability was remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology. He testified that his duties as an infantryman put stress on his knees and led to current pain.,A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, including any flare-ups requiring bedrest.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD rating, and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been granted based on a diagnosis after service and exposure to burn pit smoke during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of a compensable rating for tension headaches residual of a TBI. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition has been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the last denial. The claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and left hip DJD are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder DJD status post surgical repair of labral tear, right elbow lateral epicondylitis and tendonitis, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis and tendonitis are all rated at the maximum schedular rating available. Other conditions have been evaluated based on their severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA records and a new examination of the Veteran's shoulder. The issues include rating left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for hematuria, and rating left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and back disorder.,The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increase due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further development, including new VA examinations of his back, shoulder, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations in previous years, requiring additional development including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his disabilities during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that his current conditions are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression NOS), as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to issue a Statement of the Case for the radiculopathy issues, specifically left lower extremity. The AOJ is also instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to outstanding in-service treatment records. The claims will be reviewed after obtaining these records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tear with impingement and arthritis. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left leg disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence showing an increase in severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to headaches, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and respiratory issues have been reopened. The appeals are granted in part.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of both ankles, bilateral elbow disability, and left hand disability as secondary to residuals of left knee injury with instability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities from April 1, 2016 to June 6, 2017 because of insufficient consideration of the Veteran's educational history and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various joint disorders. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.