Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective October 1, 2014. The rating for GERD was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right shoulder, right calf (Muscle Group XI), and left thigh (Muscle Group XIII were granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20% for each condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disorders, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder strain is REMANDED due to scheduling issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to an inadequate VA examination report. The Veteran's current medical literature does not support a nexus between his shoulder disabilities and his service-connected back disability.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder other than right upper extremity radiculopathy of the median nerve and his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for headaches have been remanded due to new evidence received. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. P.G., and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and cervical spine disability are granted. The right hip and left foot disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding an opinion on whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected left shoulder disability and whether it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder due to insufficient records and VA failure to assist in obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran asserts that his current condition is related to being beaten by Military Police (MP) during service, but this assertion is not credible based on available evidence. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder, back, dermatitis, right ankle, and left upper leg disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for the back disability is established due to in-service lifting duties resulting in chronic strain and functional overload. Dermatitis is linked to Gulf War exposure. Right ankle and left upper leg disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, dental disability, memory loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for a low back condition, left knee condition, or right shoulder condition as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and bilateral leg cramps are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Board notes that the Veteran has not submitted any specific argument with respect to his claimed sleep disorder.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg cramps and right shoulder tendinitis are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back pain is remanded as the evidence does not show a current diagnosis of a back disability. The Board notes that the Veteran reported back myalgias in August 2010.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood) and eye disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder tendinitis is remanded to determine if it is related to shoulder pain during service. The Board notes that the Veteran reported shoulder pain since 2007.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and eye disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection were denied. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically a VA examination for her right arm and/or shoulder disorders.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of motion limited to midway between his side and shoulder level or to 25 degrees from his side.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding the service connection for various injuries and conditions. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his income after August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no competent evidence of record showing the conditions had their onset during active service or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's increased evaluation claim for right hand benign tremor is denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim remains remanded as further development is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current shoulder conditions and her in-service falls.

The claims of service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff surgery, tinnitus, and breast lump on the left chest were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.