Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for skin cancer, polyarthralgia, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are denied.

The Veteran's sinusitis, bronchitis, and sleep apnea were granted service connection. The right shoulder disorder and chronic inner ear infection are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a skin disorder other than primary vitiligo (diagnosed as dermatitis), and a disability manifested by tremors. The claim for secondary service connection for a left hand disorder is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the merits of the Veteran’s claims for left shoulder disability and hypertension can be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for neuropathy of the right arm was denied, and he is currently rated at 20% for this condition. The Board also found that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as of December 13, 2012, granting him a TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder acromioclavicular separation, left elbow disability, and right scrotum pain. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board dismissed the appeals as the appellant did not file a substantive appeal within the required timeframe.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shoulder, neck, lumbar back, and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and updated VA treatment records. The medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions are also needed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 27, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not show his arm motion limited to less than 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's post-concussion headaches are rated at a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder strain, and cervical strain.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that an increase to a higher rating is not warranted. The case is being remanded for consideration of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that information regarding D.G.'s status as a dependent school child was received within a year of his 18th birthday or when he began college.

The Veteran's right great toe degenerative changes are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran is granted a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease status-post myocardial infarction from July 3, 2013 to November 3, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression with sleeplessness), and right shoulder injury due to incomplete medical evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's skin disability claim is reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further review. The Veteran's PTSD and peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various conditions and the relationship to service. The Veteran's death during appeal means his spouse is now the appellant.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diverticulitis and to obtain information regarding her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, VA examinations are required to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, carpal tunnel syndromes, GERD, acute gastroenteritis, insomnia, and chronic neck pain. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and right shoulder condition, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine if he requires aid and attendance or housebound status.