Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for postoperative scars of the left shoulder, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post Bankart repair of the left shoulder. The Veteran's depression was granted at 100% effective April 19, 2007, but his other appeals were denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a review of service records and medical history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected hip and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and new examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, cervical spine, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy (claimed as pain from skull to pelvis), bilateral hip, left knee, right knee, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, hypertension (due to presumed herbicide exposure), and TDIU due to ongoing development needs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for further development and readjudication due to additional VA treatment records being added to his claims file.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's current right hip and shoulder disabilities, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The right ankle disability remains remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability and remanded it due to insufficient evidence. The claims for hypertension, low back strain with spondylolysis, osteopenia, arthritis, and DDD, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are also remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is caused by in-service noise exposure. The issues of left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been granted. The claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (not to include PTSD), low back condition, left hip condition, and sleep condition are all remanded.,Service connection is denied for PTSD and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis has not been rated higher than 20 percent, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 2006, based on limitation of motion to shoulder level. The appeal is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's complaints have been noted since service, but a definitive opinion is needed.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claims for tinnitus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Anxiety Disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition was rated at 20% prior to December 13, 2011, and from February 1, 2012 onwards. A separate 10% rating for nonunion of the right clavicle or scapula has been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 7, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder and right foot disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.