Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, leading to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of shin splints or right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease are likely not due to military service. The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of blurred vision or shoulder disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability, as well as an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has ordered another remand because the VA examiner's opinion was based on incomplete information and does not adequately address whether the Veteran's preexisting left shoulder condition increased in severity during service. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new VA joints examination to determine the etiology of any right shoulder disability, including whether it was related to service or service-connected disabilities.

All increased rating and earlier effective date claims have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of evidence of disease or injury in service. The claim is not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder cannot be established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which requires a specific stressor event. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed but there is no link to service or an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (presumably seborrheic dermatitis and actinic keratoses) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not present in service and there is no link between diabetes and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The bilateral eye disability (presumably macular disease, cataracts, and presbyopia) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. There is no evidence of a current disability or that it is related to service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,The lumbosacral strain was not present in service and there is no link between the condition and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including labrum tear of the right shoulder, back strain, and various skin issues. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, neck, knee, and shoulder disabilities due to their relationship with a now-service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability, to include nerve damage. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence submitted since the September 2013 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder, knee, and wrist disorders as secondary to his service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found no in-service right hip injury or disease, and that the current right hip disorder is not related to active service. For the other conditions, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or nexus between his current disability and service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate notice and scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, right wrist, bilateral knee, shin splints, ankle, foot (pes planus), bronchitis, onychomycosis, and hearing loss have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, headache disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor. The right shoulder disability claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence, but service connection remains denied.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability secondary to the service-connected right knee disability was granted.,PTSD was not established based on the lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except the appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board dismissed the remaining appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, sinusitis, left ankle arthritis, and bilateral shoulder arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hip disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff tendonitis, and left shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff tendonitis due to incomplete service treatment records and need for additional development.