Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and anxiety), bilateral hearing loss, eye problems, TBI, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and stomach ulcers have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records and authorized medical records from the Veteran's providers. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service, and the current condition is not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to her military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fatigue, and residuals of a left shoulder injury. Effective dates earlier than October 10, 2017, were also denied for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar strain has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left hip condition have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, upper back, and lower back disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's hip tumor, left shoulder injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for the hip tumor, left shoulder injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of current functional impairment. The right shoulder disability claim is being reviewed again, and a psychiatric evaluation will be conducted to determine if any diagnosed condition had its onset during service or is related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's left knee instability and flexion/extension limitation are granted a separate 10 percent rating in addition to his maximum schedular 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral high frequency hearing loss. The TDIU claim is granted, and the PTSD and right shoulder disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder was denied. For the period prior to March 11, 2019, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted due to limitation of motion at shoulder level. From March 11, 2019 onward, a rating in excess of 30 percent is also not warranted.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is granted service connection. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed elbow, shoulder, ankle, and knee disabilities. The Board will not make a decision on these issues until further evidence has been obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including seizure disorder, PTSD, and chronic migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and treatment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy and a right shoulder disability, as secondary to his right upper extremity neuropathy. The remand includes obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a left big toe disability due to insufficient evidence in the original decision. The Veteran's lay statements of experiencing pain during service are considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of unspecified left shoulder surgery is denied, but his claim for a mental health disorder, variously claimed as anxiety, insomnia and memory loss, is granted.

The Veteran's back condition, right shoulder pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection has been established for DJD of the lumbar spine, a right shoulder condition manifested by pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.