Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has withdrawn the claims for conjunctivitis, lipoma and right triceps disability. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to new evidence received by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, left-sided numbness and radiculopathy, right-sided numbness and radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no credible evidence of in-service injury or manifestation of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was diagnosed within one year of active duty discharge and the Veteran reported right knee pain. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from January 23, 2013 to October 15, 2018. The TDIU prior to January 23, 2013 is denied as his service-connected disability does not meet the criteria for a total rating.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and the request for an effective date prior to January 28, 2009 for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a migraine disability, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to the need for new examinations considering additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The highest disability rating allowed for supraventricular arrhythmia is 30 percent, which the Veteran already received. For left hip impingement syndrome, a 10 percent rating was assigned, but no higher. Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were both rated as noncompensable (0%). The claim for service connection of right collar bone disability was also denied.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include sleep apnea, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, shoulder issues, and a history of heavy physical labor. The Board granted the TDIU based on these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and granted service connection.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to service, and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there is no evidence of any in-service injury or condition related to these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all issues by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it was shown to be present within a year of separation from service. Service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee are denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology post-service. Service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left shoulder disorder, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA and private sources, and another VA examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for avascular necrosis of the hips and shoulders, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a claim based on carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill by VA treatment.

The Board denied service connection for subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, left shoulder as the evidence did not support a finding that the current disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder rotator cuff condition is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.