Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 1979, but the current level of severity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, tension headaches, and a right shoulder condition due to his withdrawal during the September 2019 hearing.

The Veteran's claims for right thigh condition, residuals of laceration on right cornea, concussion with hematoma, right shoulder arthritis, pinched nerve condition, memory loss, PTSD, and depression have been granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for back condition prior to October 6, 2014, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and TDIU claim are remanded for further evaluation, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition and additional functional loss due to pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The claims include lumbar strain, degenerative joint disease of knees, osteoarthritis of shoulders, headaches, and memory loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and headaches secondary to TBI due to inconsistencies in previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for TMJ and right shoulder/clavicle disability due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for addendum opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded other issues including initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for low back disability, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, service connection for bilateral hip disability, service connection for bilateral shin splints, and service connection for bilateral ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder arthritis and left shoulder arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient private treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the right shoulder disability claim, and because there is no etiological medical opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain STRs and VA treatment records, as well as for new medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed right hand condition, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, knee disorders, ankle disorders, and leg disorders.

The claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder was withdrawn. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia, skin disability, spondylosis of the back, and sleep apnea were granted. The Veteran's appeals for head injury residuals (right and left shoulders), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, basal cell carcinoma with melanoma, and bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied for prostate cancer due to lack of a positive nexus between exposure to commercial weed killer and the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to June 20, 2018 and 40 percent from that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder strain. Service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 7, 2016 for cervical strain, left shoulder strain with degenerative changes, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as his service connection claims were not received within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition, including pain on palpation and functional impact.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability pictures do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.