Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as no indication of intent to apply prior to November 26, 2014 was found.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.,The Veteran's TBI claim requires clarification due to insufficient rationale in the August 2017 VA examination report.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the low back disability (DDD at L4-L5).,Left wrist and left shoulder conditions require a new VA examination for proper assessment.,Hypertension, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea are remanded issues as no specific service connection theory or exposure basis is provided.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left and right shoulder disabilities as they have already been granted. The appeal seeking service connection for an inguinal hernia is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding the motorcycle accident that may have caused his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition, the relationship between his left shoulder arthritis and his service-connected right shoulder disability, the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, and the relationship between his sleep apnea and his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for various orthopedic conditions.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition have been presented, and no further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess her employability.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and right knee disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected subluxation of the left shoulder is being remanded due to new evidence and an ongoing temporary total convalescence claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with her lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for Lyme’s Disease and remanded it. The claims for fibromyalgia, right shoulder disability, and Bell's Palsy are also being remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, interstitial cystitis, and chronic fatigue, all claimed as secondary to asbestos exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide records of her in-service events and any documentation related to diagnoses.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, scar from surgery, cervical spine degenerative spondylosis, headaches, and bilateral shoulder disorders are all granted service connection.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle disorder and scar is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, frostbite injuries in each extremity, left elbow mild degenerative arthritis, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance due to functional limitations.

The appeal involving service connection for a neck disability is dismissed.,The appeal involving an effective date prior to December 6, 1972 for service connection for a right shoulder disability is dismissed. The appeal involving an effective date prior to February 11, 2013 for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.,An increased initial evaluation of 30 percent for right shoulder status post reverse arthroplasty from May 29, 2012 to May 13, 2013 is granted. An increased initial evaluation of 40 percent for right shoulder status post reverse arthroplasty as of June 1, 2017 is denied.,Prior to February 3, 2020, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff impingement is denied. As of February 3, 2020, a rating of 30 percent for service-connected left shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff impingement is granted.

The Board has determined that the claims for neck, back, right shoulder, and migraine disabilities should be remanded due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records from his primary care provider and a previous injury need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, bilateral metatarsalgia, sinusitis, and schizoaffective disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in all cases.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, left and right elbow disorders, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins. However, it granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence to support the claim for left knee strain, and it is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Tinnitus is also granted as a service-connected condition.,Residual scars from the right shoulder are secondary to degenerative arthritis and are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but has not shown total occupational and social impairment. The claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD is granted.