Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his in-service hospitalization records and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for narcolepsy and a total abdominal hysterectomy with scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeals.,Her claim for headache disorder is granted, but she needs to provide additional evidence regarding her asthma, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her claims for an increased rating and opposition to the proposed reduction in her right shoulder condition rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI is service-connected. The remaining issues of abdominal pain, bilateral foot disorder, epididymitis infection, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left hand numbness are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied all claims for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of current diagnoses or insufficient new and material evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted a 30% rating, but no higher, for the period prior to May 9, 2018. The Board also remanded several other claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to service and was denied. The appeal does not involve any issues regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea with exercise-induced asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and seborrheic dermatitis. The remand includes obtaining updated medical records, scheduling examinations for each condition, and determining appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The rating for left shoulder bursitis and bicep tendonitis status post-surgery, lumbosacral strain prior to April 4, 2019, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were all denied or had their effective dates extended.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, and her claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected gunshot wound, left shoulder with retained metallic fragments. The appeal will be dismissed as the appellant withdrew her claim for accrued benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The issue of service connection for headaches, related to Gulf War Illness, is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability and left shoulder disability, as well as to establish service connection for these conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain this necessary information.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for bilateral shoulder rotator cuff dysfunction and entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee condition before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome and a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The appeal for service connection for leukopenia is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder osteoarthritis with chronic tendonitis and impingement syndrome, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee chondromalacia of the patella, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disorders, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, right knee rating reductions, increased ratings for his knees and shoulder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review all submitted evidence and provide a new decision.