Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his right shoulder disability (limitation of motion and instability) are each granted a separate rating. The Board also denied service connection for sleep disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another or being housebound.

The Veteran's depression and tension headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The left shoulder disability is denied, and the cervical spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is not manifest by range of motion limited to no more than shoulder level or ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation, has been denied as there is insufficient evidence to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered the result of an August 1972 motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus has also been denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, ankle, neck, back, shoulder, knee, and toe conditions as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for skin disability has not been reopened.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder and right ankle disabilities due to the need for additional medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to inadequate substantive appeals.

Compensation for bladder cancer is denied. Service connection for cervical spine, right wrist, and right ankle disorders is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not manifest during active service and there is no indication it is otherwise related to his active service. The respiratory disability claim was remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder disability and low back disability. The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence it began during service or is related to in-service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder DJD, and TDIU. The evidence did not support the presence of a current left ankle or right shoulder disability that was related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, and back conditions.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a right shoulder scar is dismissed as the Veteran did not disagree with the new effective date of January 8, 1992.,A compensable rating (30 percent) is granted for tension headaches based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month over several months.,The criteria for an increased rating for cervical spondylosis are not met as the Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5239.,A compensable rating (10 percent) is denied for a right shoulder scar due to lack of instability and pain.,The criteria for an increased rating for thoracic outlet syndrome are not met as the Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8514.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residuals of a gun-shot wound in the right shoulder is denied as there was no prior document indicating entitlement to benefits before June 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the ribs was denied as there is no current diagnosis and no link to his military service.,The petition to reopen the right shoulder disorder claim has been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's MDD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to December 9, 2016. The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is granted at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, hysterectomy, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder) due to lack of examination or opinion regarding their etiology.