Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate a need for regular A&A sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). Additionally, the Veteran's additional service-connected disabilities do not independently ratable at 60 percent to establish entitlement under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1), and there is no evidence of permanent housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has continued to work throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a headache disability, and the right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, which is the highest rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot fracture, bilateral hand disorder, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder strain have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc herniation has also been denied.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's right elbow, left hip, and right hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine tendonitis. The Board is remanding these claims for further development.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not linked to any service-connected condition. The Board is also remanding this claim for further development.,The Veteran's right knee, bilateral foot pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus disabilities are all considered direct service connection cases. The Board is remanding these claims as well for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including knee, shoulder, hip, and psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied all other claims.,PTSD was previously denied and is not being reconsidered.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service.,His neck muscle change was not linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, as well as right and left knee conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent.,The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been denied as no application was filed prior to February 18, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot fungus disability is not reopened due to the lack of materiality of the submitted evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for spine disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted service connection. The right shoulder and left knee disabilities are granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 20 percent rating for impairment of the humerus other than limitation of motion, effective July 22, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities not causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether his current shoulder issues are related to his military service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) as there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability during the year preceding May 23, 2007.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and Crohn's Disease were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of more than moderate impairment in either condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been rated at 50% effective December 18, 2014. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding these issues.

Your headaches have been rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2012. This is the maximum rating available for your condition.,Your PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2012.