Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for right shoulder disorder, back disorder, and right leg (to include right hip) disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but did not find any clear and unmistakable error in the previous rating decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's shoulder disabilities did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 11, 2012. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right shoulder bursitis, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, as his representative indicated that its severity has worsened since the previous July 2016 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, but granted service connection for a left shoulder keloid scar.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted. Claims for other conditions such as left foot ingrown toenail, right foot ingrown toenail, left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, right knee, left knee, sleep apnea, tachycardia, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, TBI, headache, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for hypertension was denied, but a 10% rating is granted from December 27, 2016. The right shoulder strain issue remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for certain conditions remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myositis of the cervical and lumbar spine muscles, as well as degenerative joint disease of multiple joints including shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as an appropriate VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left rotator cuff tendonitis.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder DJD, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's right knee disorder, including a meniscal tear that pre-existed service and degenerative joint disease (Osteoarthritis) which developed post-service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder labrum tear, left wrist ganglion cyst, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tension headaches have been denied.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions, but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating or a higher initial disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is currently rated as 100% disabling, effective July 17, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability was not granted due to lack of evidence showing the presence of such a condition during service or at any time thereafter.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is found to be related to service, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals seeking higher ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.