Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's vision disability, claimed as secondary to stroke, was denied due to the absence of a recognized eye condition.,Service connection for insomnia, claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness, was denied because it is considered a symptom of PTSD.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2008 and at 20 percent thereafter. The thoracic spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to January 15, 2020 and at 20 percent thereafter. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 5, 2017 and at 30 percent thereafter. The left shoulder disability, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was found to have forward flexion of the cervical spine limited to 25 degrees with no additional loss during flareups or after a repeated use over periods of time, not as severe as 15 degrees or less. The thoracic spine disability had forward flexion limited to 60 degrees at worst and no ankylosis was found. The right shoulder disability had abduction limited to 40 degrees at worst and flexion limited to 75 degrees at worse. The left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities were all rated based on their respective limitations.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has not been manifested by polyps, greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, or complete obstruction of the nasal passage on one side.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability must be denied due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to active service. The claim for dental treatment eligibility is remanded as there was no determination by VHA regarding the Veteran's eligibility.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gunshot wounds, hearing loss, tinnitus, joint diseases, and disabilities of the elbows, shoulders, wrists, ankles, knees, lumbar spine, cervical spine, esophageal cancer, skin disorders, heart issues, respiratory problems, and memory loss. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied, but the claim for a right knee disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's metastatic melanoma of the lungs is related to his military service, if it is a progression of his pre-existing chest and shoulder condition, or if it is a separate condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is being remanded for further evaluation and additional medical records to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees. The right shoulder disorder issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder impairment and SFW of the right shoulder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder condition has been reopened, but the issue of whether his current condition is related to a service-connected disability remains pending. The Board has ordered additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need further examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his left shoulder condition and whether any diagnosed mental disorder is related to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development. The right shoulder rating remains denied, while depressive disorder NOS with cannabis abuse and alcohol dependence is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint is caused by an injury during active duty for training in August 1998, and grants service connection.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding his right hip, left shoulder, left wrist, left knee, and left foot disabilities, granting them service connection as well.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at the highest possible rating of 50 percent due to unfavorable ankylosis in abduction, which limits motion to 25 degrees from the side. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of loss of head (flail shoulder), nonunion (false flail shoulder), or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, left hip, and left elbow tendonitis due to incomplete development of records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current disabilities. The appellant's service records are incomplete, but he reported in-service injuries that may be related to his current conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders of the groin and feet, as well as lower back, right shoulder, and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.