Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder injury and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is reopened based on additional VA treatment records showing X-ray evidence of degenerative changes and a diagnosis of rotator cuff disorder, which may be related to the in-service injury. The claim for service connection for a left hand disorder (secondary to a left shoulder disorder) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), increased initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, migraine headaches, dysphagia, and right shoulder conditions, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, residuals of right inguinal hernia surgery, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor on the shoulder, upper back, and chest, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, status post ACL reconstruction with hardware, and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar are now pending.

The claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection or disability ratings for various conditions as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right shoulder impingement syndrome. The reduction in disability rating for his lumbar spine disorder from 20% to 10% is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement and bicipital tendinitis with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that this rating was not appropriate given the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, residuals of an injury to the right fourth (ring) finger, peripheral nerve condition in the right lower extremity, hiatal hernia, epicondylitis of the right elbow, and epicondylitis of the left elbow have all been denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for epicondylitis of the right elbow and epicondylitis of the left elbow remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened, and he is now granted service connection.,His hypertension and kidney condition are denied as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as they do not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for various conditions is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis. Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder and eye condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of traumatic brain injury, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The remaining issues were adjudicated and decisions were made on them.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a new VA examination due to inadequate reasoning in the previous examination.