Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tear, left shoulder (minor) due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 7, 2015. The right shoulder strain and tendinopathy associated with the right knee ACL-R s/p-R are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since April 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and left knee disability. The claims are remanded to allow for further development including examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.,Service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder strain status-post arthroscopic repair of posterior labral tear is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability (prior to January 28, 2015) and right shoulder disability were remanded due to the need for further development. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder scars was also denied due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder condition, and residuals of a head injury has been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, including left rotator cuff tendonitis and partial rotator cuff tear. The claim for right rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading to a grant of a clothing allowance for the year 2014. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) have all been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and photophobia have been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of TDIU.,An effective date of February 16, 2010 is granted for the grant of DEA benefits.,A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for several shoulder and elbow disabilities, as well as carpal tunnel syndromes. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability and sleep disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to worsening symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.