Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and back disorder should be remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial of his claim. The right shoulder disorder may have been related to an in-service fall, but further examination is needed to determine this. The back disorder was not shown during service or within one year after separation, and there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA Compensation and Pension examinations, insufficient lay evidence, and need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at the time of the decision.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Again, there was no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis to include spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder rotator cuff tear with arthritis is denied, but a 10 percent rating is granted for stress fracture of the left foot.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection as they were incurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INADUTRA).,The Veteran's back disorder is also granted service connection as it was incurred during ACDUTRA or INADUTRA.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for another medical opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of any current left shoulder condition to active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right eye disability, and a right shoulder disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to a 90 percent rating between December 20, 2010 and December 30, 2014. Prior to December 30, 2014, the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disorders, but granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims are remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, hypertension, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder bursitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Court ordered the reinstatement of a 20 percent disability rating for a left shoulder disability under DC 5202, which was previously reduced to 30 percent. The Veteran's original 20 percent rating is now reinstated effective March 16, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, and blood pressure condition. The Veteran's cholesterol condition is not considered a chronic disability warranting VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has granted the appellant's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD with depression and anxiety. Service connection is also granted for these conditions. The appeals regarding left shoulder disability and gynecomastia are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder was denied as the preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his active service and was not aggravated by his active service.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted, but an increased rating of 20 percent from November 25, 2014, to present has been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for scars on the left hand and forearm is granted. The claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder osteoarthritis and bronchial asthma are denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical inquiry into whether the Veteran sustained disabilities from a slip and fall accident at a VA medical facility in April 2011.