Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hydrocortisone valerate is remanded due to the absence of evidence in the claims file showing permanent damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for migraine headaches, right shoulder strain, and GERD was dismissed. Ratings of 10 percent for the right shoulder strain from November 1, 2013 to March 11, 2016, and a 30 percent rating for GERD from November 1, 2013 to March 11, 2016 were granted.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and back condition, but granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's depressive disorder and residuals of a left foot injury (left foot disability).,The Board also granted service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to the Veteran's depressive disorder and hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. However, the case is being remanded as a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current shoulder condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was granted.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement, discoid lupus, urticaria, and bilateral galactorrhea were also dismissed. Her application to reopen her claim of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for sinusitis since November 10, 2011 was dismissed.,Her applications to reopen her claims of service connection for psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for the bilateral breast fibrocystic condition were remanded. Her application to reopen her claim of service connection for sleep apnea was also remanded.

The Veteran's application for a TDIU was denied because he is not service connected for any disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence. The Board found no new and material evidence for tinnitus, denied bilateral hearing loss, and remanded other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development related to his right shoulder surgery.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left foot condition is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint separation is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his second-degree atrioventricular block, Mobitz type 2 (heart condition) prior to November 16, 2017, is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his second-degree atrioventricular block, Mobitz type 2 (heart condition) since November 16, 2017, is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his chest surgical scar, status post pacemaker insertion, is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, right foot disability, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and plantar fasciitis. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for additional medical records review.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is being asked to provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and others. The claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, cervical spine, and left shoulder strains are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder, wrist, ankle, hip, and knee conditions as well as a lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's claim was not reopened due to the nature of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right hip avascular necrosis, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and that any current conditions were not caused by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it began during or was related to the Veteran's February 2005 to April 2006 period of service.,Service connection was also denied for a low back condition due to lack of evidence linking it to any period of service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, plantar fasciitis with bone spurs, and PTSD.,There are no medical records or STRs indicating any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from April 8, 2011 to September 7, 2016. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for post traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder have been granted. The claim for TDIU is remanded.