Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, left tennis elbow, and left eye condition (condition of the cornea) were granted with effective dates prior to October 18, 2012.,Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis also claimed as joint pain (cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee and bilateral ankles), and respiratory problems and asthma.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for several conditions, but these matters are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition with arthritis, back condition with osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and right foot condition due to outstanding medical records from Wyoming Health Care Center.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder disability and his service-connected left shoulder disability. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed explanation of whether the right shoulder disability is caused by or related to military service, if it is proximately due to or caused by the service-connected left shoulder disability, and if the service-connected left shoulder disability has aggravated the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been granted. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, left knee, right hip, left hip, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, tendonitis, and instability, left knee strain, tendonitis, and instability, tinnitus, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve neuropathy, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve neuropathy, and right shoulder strain.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder condition and right hand burn have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches. The claim is granted in part.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with her other disabilities, rendered her unemployable from July 1, 2014 to July 6, 2016. Her TDIU was granted based on the severity of her PTSD symptoms and the resulting impact on her ability to work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disorder, as well as their impact on his daily activities. The claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinions linking the Veteran's current left shoulder disability to his active service. The Veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine if there is any relationship between his service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete determinations regarding service connection for additional left shoulder disabilities and their relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of functional limitation.,The Veteran’s right wrist scar is rated at 0 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7805.,The Veteran's left knee surgical scars are also rated at 0 percent, with no evidence showing disabling effects or loss of function.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar spine disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic right shoulder disorder, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder. The evidence did not show a diagnosis of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from active service.

The Board has denied service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury and left shoulder injury, but granted service connection for the residuals of a right ankle injury.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left iliotibial band syndrome, hearing loss, TMJ disability, and service connection for a left foot, right foot, left ankle, left hand, low back, and left shoulder disabilities have all been dismissed.,A compensable evaluation for headaches has been granted from October 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to July 10, 2010, and in excess of 20 percent from July 16, 2010 through May 19, 2014, as well as in excess of 40 percent from May 20, 2014 for a right shoulder disability on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).