Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously denied, and new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip disorders is denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report to scheduled VA examinations. The matter is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a renal cyst, asthma, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and cervical spondylosis is remanded due to insufficient development. The Veteran will need updated VA treatment records, an opinion on whether her current asthma is related to service, and examinations for her left shoulder, cervical, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left shoulder disability, urinary condition, and sinusitis have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation since January 22, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU based on the PTSD disability. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder strains are granted service connection, while the scar is denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to service.,New evidence was submitted but it did not change the outcome as the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left shoulder disability, umbilical hernia, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than a non-compensable rating.,PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 23, 2019 and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are considered more severe than the current ratings indicate.,The Veteran’s right shoulder disability is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right shoulder disability have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Prior to March 28, 2017, he was not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent. From March 28, 2017, he was not entitled to a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder strains are denied as there is no evidence of compensable loss or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is denied, and the effective date for this increased rating is set at October 9, 2018.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's compensation claims due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for right carpal tunnel was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss, right ear was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for hearing loss, right ear is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA standards.,Service connection for surgical scars, bilateral shoulders is denied as they do not meet disabling effects under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine prior to December 28, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's increased rating claim for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine as of December 28, 2018 and her right shoulder strain claim were remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his COPD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and arthritis. The Board also notes that the Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination for sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, a bilateral knee disability, a low back disability, and a burn scar of the left shoulder. The Veteran's symptoms were observed in-service and have continued to present post-service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder labral tear with rotator cuff tendonitis were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.