Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterolemia, chronic gastritis, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, right shoulder disorder, chronic left rib cage pain, chronic chest pain (including tendonitis/costochondritis), right wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left calf disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities) have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has also been granted, but the Board has remanded it due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran has limited motion with pain, but without limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level or limitation of motion of the arm to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. A TDIU from July 10, 2016 is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma, ulcers, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, a bilateral lower leg disability (including swelling), and a neck, shoulder, or upper back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right wrist, right shoulder, left elbow pain causing functional impairment, and right elbow have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on direct evidence linking them to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of her neurological symptoms. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion clarifying whether these symptoms are related to either her cervical spine or right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for increased rating for left hip disability, and service connection for right shoulder and left lower extremity disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology from service to present time and failure to consider a stressor event. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address his remaining claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including right lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, left shoulder tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee degenerative joint disease with Baker's cyst, and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not support granting any higher ratings than the current 20 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than noncompensable due to lack of limitation of motion.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability has been granted.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for further development. The right shoulder disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right hand and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability. The appeals are remanded because the VA examinations were inadequate and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder pain and whether he is entitled to TDIU.

Your appeals concerning lower back condition, sleep apnea syndromes, bacterial pneumonia, DJD of the left shoulder, and DJD of the right shoulder have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder, elbow, and hand nerve pain are related to service or secondary to her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine. The case is being sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination and treatment records, and will provide new VA examinations for right shoulder bursitis and tension headaches.

The Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and information about the VA-contracted examiner who conducted a recent examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and restored a 10% rating for the left upper extremity scar, effective June 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD prior to May 18, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.