Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for additional compensation for recurrent dislocation, right shoulder postoperative (dominant) prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes (due to Southwest Asia service), low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a 40 percent rating from December 17, 2014 to May 23, 2021. From May 24, 2021, the Veteran's condition is rated at 40 percent for ankylosis of scapulohumeral articulation and 20 percent for impairment of humerus.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis, now with urticaria, has been withdrawn. The Board also found the right shoulder condition claim remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted. The Board found that the chronic pain from his service-connected lumbar strain disability caused his current major depressive disorder.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's right shoulder condition is being reviewed for causation and aggravation by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder had its onset during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee disorders are all granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by National Guard duty.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, as well as left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and rotator cuff tear residuals, based on the Veteran's in-service lifting injuries and resulting chronic conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right shoulder DJD and TDIU claims, as there are discrepancies in the records regarding his functional loss during flare-ups. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 12, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total evaluation for his left shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder conditions have been evaluated based on their current functional impairment, with no indication of service connection for any specific exposure or condition.,No new evidence has reopened the claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the buttocks and granted a TDIU from April 1, 2013. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis related to his claimed gunshot wound, but was found unable to work due to his PTSD with alcohol dependency and left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Right Shoulder Strain with Degenerative Changes have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to the right knee, left knee, and PTSD, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence of service connection. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, post-total shoulder arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent effective February 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his employment at the U.S. Postal Service, and requests that these records be obtained.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability, denied service connection for left shoulder disability and tinnitus, and remanded the claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease).