Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, 'back' disability, right ankle degenerative changes, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and migraine headaches. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 5, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. His current disability is related to his in-service broken nose and weight gain. The rating assigned for the right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of adequate examination addressing flare-ups.

The Board has remanded three claims for further review: right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is alleged to have aggravated these disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left and right shoulder, elbow, hand, neck, and knee conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for sleep apnea, hypertension, and chronic pain were dismissed. The right shoulder disorder appeal was remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has worsened since his last examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder condition (rotator cuff tendinitis), respiratory condition (chronic bronchitis), and chronic headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,There is no current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis or other respiratory disability in service, and the Veteran's STRs do not show any such condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder conditions, specifically whether an August or September 2010 fall likely produced either or both acromioclavicular separation and degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcoholism is granted. The claims for left shoulder disability, vision problems, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cold injury residuals of the left and right knees, hands, and shoulders as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to cold.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder capsular tear, shoulder impingement, and rotator cuff syndrome as well as chondromalacia patella and meniscal tear of the right knee. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20% since April 23, 2012. The right foot hallux valgus with degenerative changes has been rated as non-compensable prior to June 17, 1993 and from August 1, 1993 to October 23, 2013. Since January 1, 2014, the Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of reaction to shots, including right arm numbness and right shoulder pain is denied as there was no new and material evidence presented within one year of the June 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's hypertension and rhinitis were denied service connection due to lack of evidence. The left shoulder condition was granted service connection.,Right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, asthma, major depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension), headaches, vertigo, and temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.,The Veteran’s hypertension is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her hypertension is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's asthma is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had breathing problems during service that could have led to her current condition.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding its onset and whether it is related to service-connected conditions. The examiner must also determine if her depression is aggravated by her service-connected right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether she had sugar in her urine during service or if her condition is aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s kidney and heart disabilities (secondary to hypertension) are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding their onset and relationship to her hypertension.,The Veteran's headaches and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on whether they are related to her cervical spine disability. The examiner must also determine if her conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran’s temporary total rating is being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding her need for convalescence following surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee DJD, right shoulder dislocation, and lumbosacral spine disability due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, eye disorder, skin parasites, and hypertension. The Veteran's headaches and allergic skin disorder have been granted service connection.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's right shoulder or right ankle disabilities as they were not incurred during her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.