Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as there is no legal basis for such.,Service connection for gum disease was denied because it does not constitute a compensable disability for VA compensation purposes.,Claims for total disability ratings due to hospital treatment or observation and convalescence have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the required periods of hospitalization or convalescence.,Spousal aid and attendance prior to October 22, 2018 was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's ex-spouse needed regular aid and attendance.,Service connection for peripheral vestibular disease (PVD) has been remanded due to a conclusory opinion from the VA examiner.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss have been remanded as the Veteran alleges worsening since his last examination in October 2017.,Claims for various ankle, elbow, hip, knee, and shoulder conditions have all been remanded.

The Board has found a duty to assist error in not obtaining the Veteran's San Diego Naval Base Hospital records and SSA medical records. The case is being remanded for these records to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development. The initial rating for left-hand radicular nerve impairment remains at 30 percent, and the rating for painful scarring of the left anterior shoulder is still at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for sinus disability, eye disability, left shoulder disability, gastroesophageal disability (heartburn), and skin disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent prior to November 7, 2018 and at 40 percent from January 1, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and cervical headaches have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is approximately balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for right knee, respiratory, obstructive sleep apnea, skin cancer, migraine headache, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The claim for TDIU was also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, right shoulder, and right ankle conditions. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to conflicting opinions regarding his left deltoid disability and hearing loss. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, back disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury. The appeal is also remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further investigation is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder/arm disability due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remands. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. Service connection is denied for right shoulder disability, but service connection is granted for deviated nasal septum and a compensable rating is requested for right inguinal hernia repairs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other conditions were denied in a final November 2005 rating decision. The claims were reopened based on new and material evidence submitted after March 31, 2015, but the effective date remains unchanged as it is not earlier than March 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions are found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability.,The decision also includes a remand for further evaluation of the Veteran's claimed left hand pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various disabilities, including right and left ankle degenerative joint disease, elbow degenerative joint disease, shoulder degenerative joint disease, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, cervical spine degenerative changes, upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral calcaneal spurs. The effective dates for these disabilities were set at February 6, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable at any time during the appeal period. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he has maintained substantially gainful employment despite his PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for acne, neck condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The case is being returned to VA for further development.