Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and cervical strain have been rated at 20 percent, but the lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain has not met the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection and initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. Service connection for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a biceps tendon tear and rotator cuff tear, was not caused by the VA's care or treatment. The decision is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a pinched nerve in neck and PTSD due to errors in form submission. The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim is also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a skin disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is denied.,Service connection for the skin disability is established based on in-service exposure to sun and headgear restrictions.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending claims and appeals, including those related to bronchitis, dermatitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee strain, low back strain, multiple scars on the left side of body, sinusitis with headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder condition and his service, as well as its relation to a service-connected back condition. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and elbow disabilities due to a lack of conclusive pathophysiology and because the PACT Act requires VA to provide an examination if the Veteran submits a claim with evidence of participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during active military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings and need for clarification regarding whether he has a nonunion, malunion, or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to new and material evidence. The effective date for the increased rating of 30 percent for headaches remains denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity prior to May 24, 2018.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent but not higher due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. The left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis is also rated at 20 percent as there is no limitation of motion that meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and left shoulder strain was denied. The reduction from a 50% rating to noncompensable for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also denied as improper.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after active duty service, continuity of symptoms since service, or causation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating. The VA has ordered remand for additional evaluations of his coronary artery disease, right knee, and right shoulder conditions due to the possibility of worsening during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as shoulder disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain private medical records from identified providers and associate physical therapy records with the claims file.

The Veteran's deviated septum nasal passage is not related to service, and the appeal for this issue is remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and ACL joint arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus warrants further examination as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

Service connection for a neck condition and right shoulder condition is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral ear condition to include bilateral hearing loss needs further examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of such a condition during or proximate to the pendency of the appeal period.