Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the rating assigned was noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 2, 2015 due to limited motion of the arm at shoulder level. The reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent for right wrist strain status post carpal tunnel release on August 1, 2013 was improper and restored.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for his right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's skin disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability were not granted service connection. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, along with other disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013. Effective May 22, 2012, the combined disability rating was sufficient for a TDIU. Effective August 23, 2018, his other service-connected disabilities are also rated at 60 percent or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and missing private treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant military and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.,Service connection for right knee strain (right knee condition) is denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea claimed as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to April 25, 2018. The appeals are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder adhesive capsulitis, with history of recurrent dislocation, was found to have at least 50 degrees of abduction and at least 80 degrees of flexion. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition as it did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing information about the Veteran's flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted. The rating for his right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent, and the Veteran's request for a separate rating for joint and neurological disorders associated with the right shoulder is remanded. His scars are not rated compensably.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder impingement, lumbosacral strain, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have all been remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has also been remanded as the VA examination was found invalid.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right knee disability, hypertension, asthma, sleep apnea, bilateral foot fungus, and facial skin rash. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right hip and shoulder arthritis, varicose veins in both lower extremities, and kidney removal due to renal cell carcinoma do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending appeals.