Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's DMII does not require regulation of activities, and his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 8, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s right shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities are all rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's fecal leakage and chronic nerve problems were not found to be service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, and dry eye syndrome with pinguecula and punctate keratitis are granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for his dry eye condition.

The Veteran's GERD, left shoulder disability, insomnia, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, flat feet (pes planus), and tinnitus are not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for several shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete records from in-patient treatment at Diego Garcia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient readjudication after new evidence was received. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensation for his right shoulder, left foot bunion, and left foot great toe fracture are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examinations and issues related to functional loss during flare-ups. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right elbow arthritis was denied. The issue of service connection for his right shoulder disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess the nature, onset, and etiology of his right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, thoracolumbar degenerative disease with scoliosis, and PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right hand pain, bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral hip condition. An initial increased rating of 70 percent but no higher was granted for service-connected generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with insomnia, and an initial increased rating of 50 percent but no higher was granted for tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has also been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's yeast infection secondary to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, finding no causal relationship between the current conditions and in-service events.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, and right knee pain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2009. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine prior to March 11, 2017 is denied.,A compensable rating for RLE radiculopathy prior to March 11, 2017 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS with cervical strain prior to February 14, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative right shoulder debridement/bursectomy/decompression/SLAP repair (dominant) prior to February 14, 2015 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability began during service and has continued since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and shoulder conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the lower back, right hand, left hand, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.