Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for right wrist injury and right knee condition, thus denying service connection.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board has therefore denied service connection for this condition as well.

Service connection for a left shoulder disability, left arm disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and abdominal disability is denied as not related to service.,Service connection for GERD is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the right shoulder and cervical spine, finding that her conditions were not related to service or secondary to her service-connected TMJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bicipital tendon tear, right shoulder as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's reserve service dates, including any periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and increased ratings, except for the right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome which remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a neck disorder. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability warranting VA compensation benefits, as it is merely a laboratory finding. The claims for right shoulder disability, neck disorder, right elbow disorder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient examinations and need for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 19, 2016 and at 20 percent from that date. The right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to August 11, 2015 and at 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been granted a higher rating of 20 percent from September 19, 2016. The right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis has been granted a higher rating of 30 percent from August 11, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder and TDIU claim. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a right eye disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a chronic disability due to substance abuse.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder and right eye disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development regarding the claim for a chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's lumbar strain is also remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including her service connection claims and disability rating appeals. The decision regarding TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI residuals, PTSD, hearing loss, ocular migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, skin cancer, and others, were denied as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and headache disability were not incurred or aggravated during her military service.,Further examination is required to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability and headache disability is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the April 2010 rating decision.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence following the December 15, 2011 left shoulder surgery through June 30, 2012. The Veteran's postoperative residuals required continued convalescence characterized initially by immobilization and later by an ongoing inability to return to employment due to required rehabilitation.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding service connection for left shoulder peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.