Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective September 20, 2018, based on his service-connected disabilities resulting in a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss disability, and right ear hearing loss disability. The claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for tension headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as an upper back disability), and neck disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches. Bilateral hearing loss, back disability, hip disabilities (left and right), knee disabilities (right and left), and shoulder disabilities (right and left) are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied as there is no additional disability resulting from VA treatment, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's dysphagia, secondary to his service-connected left tonsillar cancer with positive lymph nodes, status post dissection, is rated at 80 percent from October 19, 2017. The paralysis of the left accessory nerve with atrophy of the left shoulder muscles remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and gastrointestinal disability (including duodenitis or GERD) has been granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II remains denied.,The Board found new evidence related to the Veteran’s service connection claims, including a VA examination linking his current right shoulder condition to in-service injury. However, the denial of diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical nexus.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective from March 26, 2015. The left shoulder disability remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for chronic cardiac disability, left shoulder condition, left leg condition, and left hip condition as there were no current disabilities found in the record.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, upper back, and lower back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right foot pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, and hallux valgus. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to issues with the examination process and lack of information from his last employer. The Board will attempt to obtain a VA opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person or if he is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain an addendum from a medical examiner to provide specific findings on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, left ear hearing loss, and denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to maintain a substantially gainful occupation, as they are not shown to have been of such nature and severity as to prevent her from maintaining regular substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increases in the ratings for left shoulder strain and tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disability and neck disability are remanded.