Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee instability is granted. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for wrist conditions and service connection for hand, shoulder, and foot conditions are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and TDIU, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and service. The Board also found that his current disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various spine and joint disorders, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. The case is sent back to VA for further development and examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthroplasty with scars is currently rated at 60 percent, which reflects severe painful motion and weakness. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating as the current rating adequately accounts for his symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, right forearm fracture residuals, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder. The diabetes claim is also remanded. VA treatment records from the 1980s are requested as well as any private medical records prior to 1988.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also noted that the Veteran's left knee disability was granted with a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder and left ankle disorders, but denied service connection for his coronary artery disease (CAD) and a claimed left foot disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the left foot disorder.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and shortness of breath were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right shoulder disability was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD). The Veteran's hearing loss and fibromyalgia claims are remanded. The rating of the Veteran's radiculopathy is also remanded. TDIU is remanded as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide medical records from his private doctors, and a VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined rating is at the maximum level.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to substitution as a claimant and consideration of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not found new and material evidence to support these claims. The left shoulder disability claim is granted as there is now credible evidence of a current condition. The left knee disability, sinus disability (including sinusitis), sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and secondary to tinnitus), and hypertension claims are denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appeals for the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of bilateral hips, knees, elbows, feet, hands, and shoulders have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened but is still pending as it was remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for substance abuse, secondary to PTSD and increased rating for service connected PTSD. The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent rating for his left thumb scar from November 4, 2009 to September 28, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Board found that his subjective complaints of pain alone do not constitute a disability.,For residuals of a right distal fibula fracture, prior to April 9, 2018, the Veteran's claim was denied as he did not have a marked ankle disability. Effective April 9, 2018, a rating of 30 percent was granted for malunion with marked ankle disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and hip disabilities were both denied as there is no evidence that the flexion limitation meets or exceeds the required criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disorders are granted as service connected because they are linked to injuries sustained during active duty.