Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, fatigue and lethargy is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive nerve evaluation.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities are also remanded as current evidence does not provide a clear picture of their severity.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, hypertension, GERD, and headaches on a secondary basis are now service-connected.,A 40% rating for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis, status post shoulder arthroplasty is denied. The current 30 percent rating adequately compensates the Veteran's symptoms and manifestations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a bilateral shoulder condition is granted. The Board has determined that additional development is required for the right and left shoulder claims due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spondylosis C5-C6 and C6-C7, eczema, hearing loss, low back degenerative disc disease, PTSD, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right shoulder rotator cuff pathology, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Effective dates for the above conditions have been set at December 16, 2009.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability is remanded due to procedural defects.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee, right eye, and left eye disabilities due to the Veteran's discharge under other than honorable conditions. The Board also remanded issues regarding a right shoulder disability, residuals of deviated septum, skin disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression).

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain, and right shoulder rotator cuff disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service. The right shoulder disability is presumed to have been aggravated by service due to multiple dislocations during active duty. For tinnitus, the Board found it likely attributable to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension, heat stroke, right knee condition, left knee condition, rib(s) condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition is remanded due to incomplete STRs.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is granted a 30% rating, effective December 19, 2008. The Veteran’s left shoulder laxity with rotator cuff tendonitis remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder conditions, including a left shoulder strain and right acromioclavicular joint separation, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being sent back for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder and right shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded three issues for further development: headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral shoulder pain (including cervical spine condition with radiating pain to the shoulders). The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims for various disorders, as the current examination did not consider all relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, heart disability, and kidney disability. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.