Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and right heel spurs, but has remanded the cases of left shoulder disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for trigeminal (fifth cranial nerve) neuralgia due to incomplete VA examination and lack of relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including readjudication of the claim for an increased initial disability rating for depression and consideration of TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular bases. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not met the disability rating percentage thresholds for TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis, left thumb degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative changes with instability. The decision is based on credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint conditions in his elbows, shoulders, and hands due to outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his TDIU claim and a completed VA Form 21-8940. The Board also finds that an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left and right ankle conditions, as well as his right knee condition secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.,The Board found no evidence of any current disability related to the Veteran's active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hip and shoulder conditions as they are related to a service-connected knee condition, due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for removal of semilunar cartilage. The effective date for the increased shoulder rating is December 28, 2017. The Veteran's right hip condition remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.

A rating of 40 percent for a low back disability is granted effective November 4, 2019. A separate compensable rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also granted effective November 4, 2019.,A 10 percent rating for a right shoulder disability is granted effective August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran’s claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected generalized arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition, as it is considered secondary to his service-connected generalized arthralgias. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected esophagitis with hiatal hernia is also denied.,The Veteran's neck disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's neck scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's left arm disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected neck disorder is also denied.,The Veteran's low back scar is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias are also denied.,The Veteran's right leg disorder is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on his service-connected arthralgias is also denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder separate and distinct from service-connected generalized arthralgia is found not related to service and the Board finds in favor of denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome. The lung condition claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm, shoulder, and elbow disability as secondary to a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has found that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition and bilateral ankle conditions, which are claimed to be related to in-service injuries.

The Board has found that service connection is not warranted for a left shoulder condition due to the lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is also denied for teeth grinding (bruxism) as it is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, which remains in dispute.