Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to in-service injuries and there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including glaucoma, cholecystectomy residuals, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right hand dermatitis, anemia, inguinal hernia repair, and hemorrhoids. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, increased ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, and left ankle degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for tinnitus as the VA examiner found no evidence of its occurrence during service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from May 23, 2011. A separate 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder was granted effective October 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for hepatitis B was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder and left shoulder disorder were granted service connection based on in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of evidence showing that his PTSD or any other service-connected condition caused, contributed substantially or materially to, or accelerated his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed as they were previously decided.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for painful scars of the upper extremities was granted. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease and shoulder arthritis were denied, as were the initial compensable ratings for PTSD. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right shoulder sprain, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee chondromalacia were denied. The esophageal spasms claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to lumbar spine, neck trauma, bilateral shoulders, and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right hand disability, and left hand disability. The service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder strain remains denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder is granted a noncompensable rating, and he has service connection for his left ankle and lower back disabilities as secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder joint pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.,Specifically, there was no objective medical evidence showing a link between any of these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the pre-existing condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The appeal as to the claims of service connection for skin condition and sleep disturbance is dismissed.,As new and material evidence has been received, the appeals as to service connection for right knee strain, left shoulder s/p rotator cuff repair, and right shoulder strain are granted.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, finding no evidence of chronic disability related to service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for joint pain and muscle pain, with the examiner attributing these symptoms to an already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

Service connection is granted for dysthymic disorder, right elbow disability, bilateral foot disability (plantar warts), and right shoulder disability.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right shoulder strain and left elbow strain due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran's current mailing address needs to be verified, and new examinations should be scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is denied. The RO has granted a 40% rating effective July 19, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his left shoulder disability is granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to the service-connected left shoulder disability is remanded.