Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and a disability manifested by constipation.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's in-service complaints or diagnoses.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, epidermal cyst, and lichen simplex chronicus due to potential worsening of symptoms. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was denied for a heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a lack of an adequate VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical and lay evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The appeals for other conditions are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability existed prior to service and if it is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his ankle/foot disabilities, as well as a review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's additional left shoulder disability is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it was caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinitis was previously rated at 20 percent prior to July 26, 2017 and is now rated at 30 percent from that date. The Veteran's residuals of a rotator cuff tear with dislocation are currently rated as 30 percent.,The Veteran’s PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI with central vertigo were previously remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2012. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional limitations and pain.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to June 19, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent as of that date.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to have started during his military service and aggravated by combat in Iraq. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his right shoulder impingement syndrome does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The September 2000 Board decision denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate functional loss or impairment.