Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left ankle disability, cervical spondylosis, and left shoulder arthritis are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as service connected. The rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and the rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome remain pending due to remand.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran currently has cervical spine and/or right shoulder disabilities, and if so, whether they are related to service. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's left shoulder injury residuals are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Spousal aid and attendance compensation claim is denied due to the absence of a 30% or higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability (secondary to a right knee disability).

The appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral foot disability restoration, and TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for various spinal disabilities, sensory deficits of the right shoulder and forearm, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left leg sensory deficit are withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease secondary to bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his lumbar strain with DDD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disorders are not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service, and arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty. Therefore, service connection for such disorders is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 50% disabling prior to March 11, 2013.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20% since October 21, 2006. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for right foot, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The Board found no new evidence that established a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for her service connection claims have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for these records, and a medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including a TBI with headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the shrapnel wound and scar associated with it was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate criteria for a higher rating during the periods in question.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, and left shoulder disability were denied. The case is remanded to determine the nature of any hip disability.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension and evaluation higher than 10 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome status post rotator cuff tear with AC joint osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to ongoing development of evidence related to his service-connected disabilities, including exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a lacerated right inner bicep with nerve damage and scar is denied due to the period of other than honorable discharge. The Board has remanded claims for psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left elbow condition, and left shoulder condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further review of the right shoulder disability. The left knee disorder is granted, but the initial rating for the right shoulder strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.