Shoulder decisions — 2019

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability or etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a right shoulder sprain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of continuing right shoulder pain, which are consistent with his military injury history.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his PTSD, traumatic amputation of the right middle finger, chronic fatigue syndrome, and various musculoskeletal conditions. The Board has determined that further examination is needed for all these claims due to the lack of recent examinations addressing current severity.

The Board denied the reduction of special monthly compensation (SMC) payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense, as it was proper.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder, armpit, arm, and hand pain are all found to be related to his in-service electrical shock while performing maintenance on a LORAN transmitter. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss disabilities, as well as the compensable rating for those disabilities. The application to reopen claims for residuals of cold weather injury, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, broken jaw, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,Service records do not indicate any incidents related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for a left shoulder disorder, and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded due to new evidence added since the April 2016 SOC.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for major depressive disorder (already service-connected), right ankle disability, and right knee disability. The right shoulder disability remains under review.,The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the claims for service connection of a bilateral hip/thigh, right shoulder and right arm disability due to the need for an addendum opinion on secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that a 40 percent disability rating is warranted for the Veteran's lower back disability throughout the period of the claim. The claims for service connection for right shoulder, thigh, knee, ankle, and PTSD disabilities are remanded due to lack of evidence or new and material evidence. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for GERD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent effective March 22, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative changes and remanded his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected right clavicle fracture.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to potential worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection of neuro damage of the right hand was granted. The claims for secondary service connection for cervicothoracic spine disorder, headache disorder, and neurological disorders of the right shoulder and wrist are remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his increased rating claims for coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran has withdrawn his earlier effective date claim for tinnitus. The AOJ will issue a SOC regarding the service connection claims for arthritis.,The Veteran's loss of teeth is remanded due to lack of an adequate VA examination, as well as the need for clarification on carcinogen exposure and further development of the record.,PTSD symptoms are remanded for a new VA examination to determine their current severity and impact on employment.,TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw appeals of his evaluations for various service-connected disabilities and awarded a TDIU.

The Board has decided some issues in favor of the Veteran, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, it denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.