Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for right shoulder strain and tendonitis, effective August 25, 2017. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is granted, and the issue of entitlement to service connection is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left foot, and right arm conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right thumb disability or if they are aggravated by it. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four specific conditions (left inguinal hernia, left shoulder disability, right foot disability, and back disability) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board has also remanded two additional issues: service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability had onset during his period of active duty service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected left varicocele is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, hypertension, and GERD are all granted service connection. The initial compensable evaluation for the service-connected left ear hearing loss is remanded, as well as the service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew all of his appeals regarding the service connection for left knee disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hepatitis C, chronic lumbar spine disorder, and chronic right shoulder disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence or aggravation that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for right shoulder arthritis is granted, with an effective date of March 20, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for a proper determination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding functional impairment and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hip disability as the evidence did not show a nexus to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression) due to insufficient evidence in the current record.,Service connection is not granted as there are no medical opinions linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition, manifested by pain with limitation of motion, is now granted as service-connected.,His left lower extremity radicular pain and partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve are also now granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to an in-service tank-related injury. The appellant is advised that VA will obtain additional medical records and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability, bilateral hip disability, left shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder (to include sleep disturbances and memory loss), neck disability, and TBI, were denied.