Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left and right wrist symptoms are attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against the Veteran’s claim for a separate diagnosis of a left and right wrist disorder other than fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not presumed to have existed prior to service, and thus must be evaluated on a direct service connection basis. The VA examiners' opinions are based on inaccurate factual premises and require further clarification.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is remanded due to missed VA examinations and the possibility of homelessness. The RO must follow procedures for contacting homeless veterans and obtain all relevant medical records.

The appeal to reopen service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, hepatitis C, left leg disability, right leg disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and TBI.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder and knee disorders and tinnitus. The claims for these conditions are not currently resolved.

The Board denied service connection and a compensable rating for hearing loss, right ear. The left shoulder disorder and right hip disorder were also denied as not incurred in service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it more nearly approximates limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disability, and low back disability has been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability, as well as to verify his service in the Air National Guard. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and need to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded. The claim for a compensable rating prior to March 19, 2012, and in excess of 60 percent on and after March 19, 2012, for herpes simplex is also remanded. The Veteran's prostate cancer reduction from 100 percent to 20 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the left ankle disability remains at 10 percent. The decision also denies a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disorders have been granted. His claim for an increased rating of the lumbar spine disability has also been granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent prior to September 14, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff strain and is otherwise unrelated to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to new evidence submitted at his hearing, as well as worsening of symptoms since his last VA examinations. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from a pain management physician.