Shoulder decisions — 2019

Your joint pain, left shoulder and elbow conditions have already been granted service connection. The appeal regarding your joint pain is dismissed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and Degenerative Disc Disease of the back are denied as service connection is not granted due to lack of evidence showing a direct link to active military service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection for Sleep Apnea, Hypertension (HTN), and Dental Disability characterized as seven missing teeth are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, right shoulder nerve paralysis, and ringworm as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities resulting from the Veteran's active duty.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea is due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, but the examiner did not consider these factors in their assessment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition and left hip condition, with the latter issue being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis, is at least as likely as not caused by his coronary artery disease surgery in July 2010. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed shoulder conditions, specifically whether they are aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including the reopening of claims and the assignment of initial ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of his condition.

The Veteran's reduced rating for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis is restored to 40 percent. A 40 percent rating effective from September 19, 2012, for IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. A 20 percent initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his left knee disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, bilateral shoulder, wrist, and hand disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there was not substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the last VA examination, and a new examination may be needed if there has been any worsening in symptoms. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's service records show treatment for a boil on his left shoulder and back pain in service. However, there is no evidence of any chronic condition related to these incidents post-service.,The VA examiner concluded that the current back disability is less likely than not related to an injury or event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and back conditions, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, gastritis, and hypertension are dismissed as they were not valid claims.

The Veteran would have been in receipt of a TDIU for at least 10 years preceding his death due to service-connected PTSD, had the effective date of his TDIU not been incorrectly assigned. The Board has now granted entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examinations must address whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and lumbar strain disabilities due to incomplete medical records and insufficient examination opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reopening of previously denied claims for right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.