Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, eye twitch, heart murmur, nightmare disorder, sleep disorder, and anxiety disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability or chronic condition related to military service.,There were no medical records documenting the Veteran's claimed conditions during his active duty service. The VA examinations did not find any clinically diagnosed conditions for these disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability and extension of temporary total rating is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has decided that a cervical spine disability is secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and thus denied her claim for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic right shoulder disorder and severe obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, lower back, left ankle, and right ankle conditions as there is no evidence that any current disability began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's PTSD claim is pending, his left shoulder osteoarthritis rating needs to be reconsidered with a VA examination, and his right hand fracture case requires additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, low back disability, and headaches due to new evidence submitted since the November 2005 rating decision. The Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The issues include left shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disorder, psoriasis, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% evaluation for migraine headaches effective from August 9, 2017. The remaining conditions were not granted higher evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder disorder and vertigo due to incomplete development of records, including private treatment records from prior to 2012. The Veteran will need an addendum medical opinion regarding his bilateral shoulder disorder and may receive a SOC on his claim for increased disability rating for vertigo.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, varicocele, and hernia. The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition and right knee condition require further development due to a lack of medical examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and he is granted service connection.,There is no evidence of left foot fungus beginning during active service or being related to an in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms manifested to a degree of 10% or more within seven years of separation from service. Service connection was denied for a right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations for bilateral shoulder disorders and hearing loss, as well as the TDIU claim due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left and right hip disabilities, a laceration of the left ring finger, a right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disabilities. The appeal is also remanded for TDIU determination.