Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left shoulder, right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip, right hip, and knee osteoarthritis are all granted service connection as they were related to in-service parachute jumps.,The Veteran's countable income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for a Veteran with one dependent.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and evaluations of his disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including a right knee disability that was reopened due to new and material evidence. The rating for bilateral pes planus remains at 30 percent. Other claims are pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder DJD with scar is granted a 30% evaluation, effective August 1, 2016. The medical evidence supports this rating as the range of motion is limited to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of medical evidence showing an increase in severity beyond the natural progression of the pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disabilities due to a missed VA-contracted examination. The Veteran was denied service connection in an October 2016 rating decision based on lack of evidence from the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder(s), bilateral knee disorder(s), and PTSD due to missing STRs, particularly those from Norfolk Naval Air Station and Mayport Branch NAS/Mayport Naval Base. The Veteran's in-service stressor related to witnessing a friend's suicide is also being investigated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including left and right shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder. The Veteran was requested to appear for a DRO hearing but did not attend.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 25, 2014, and increased ratings for his left shoulder disorder were denied. His service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder tendonitis is granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no competent medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis, post-surgery, is rated at 20 percent. A compensable rating of 10 percent for a painful scar on the right shoulder post-surgery is granted.

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted due to its presumptive relationship with service in the Persian Gulf War.,Bilateral eye condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Lower back disability claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Respiratory condition (claimed as asbestos exposure) and skin condition claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for maxillary sinusitis remains unchanged with a need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, upper back, and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not presumed to have hepatitis C or an eye disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Board has remanded the cases for an expert medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral hip disabilities are related to service, including a vehicle accident in service. The opinions should also address whether these disabilities are secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities need to be reconsidered due to additional relevant records not being considered in previous decisions.