Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim from January 14, 2011, to February 22, 2018, is granted based on his service-connected right knee disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the fall in May 2008 aggravated his pre-existing left shoulder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and alcohol use disorder.,Service connection was also granted for a low back disability (DJD) and left arm disabilities (AC joint DJD, shoulder tendonitis, C5 radiculopathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome).,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was also granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is less severe due to his service-connected left shoulder disability. Service connection for a cervical strain was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or causation from the service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added to the claims file, including VA outpatient records. The issues of service connection for teeth issues, shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot (pes planus), limitation of flexion right knee/leg, gout (claimed as painful joints), generalized body aches, skin disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, bilateral hand disability, sinus disability, and asthma are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back, neck, knee, shoulder, and esophageal conditions, have been granted. The issues of service connection for a left knee meniscal tear, right hand disability, left hand disability, fatigue (undiagnosed illness), and memory loss (undiagnosed illness) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for injuries to his right hand and left shoulder resulting from VA treatment in November 2010 has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate for several reasons, including inconsistency in findings and reliance on absence of treatment or diagnosis in service. The Veteran's statements regarding a potential injury to his right shoulder during service have been considered. Therefore, the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and bilateral hand disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the right knee scar is denied. The claims for service connection for a left eye condition, heart condition, GERD, gastrointestinal condition, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been denied, as his reports are linked to sleep apnea and a service-connected psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's neck disability (cervical spondylosis with myelopathy) is considered service connected.,The Veteran's radiculopathies of the upper extremities are also considered service connected.,New and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, which is granted in part.,Other claims remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU beginning February 27, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 27, 2018 is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's psoriasis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and sinusitis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition (excluding osteoarthritis), to include tendinopathy and superior labral fraying, is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the claim for service connection for a stomach condition, as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran is not currently diagnosed with either condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA effective August 29, 2014 due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and requests for clarification regarding medication, pain, ROM testing, ankylosis, and employment impact. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being evaluated again.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disorder(s), including consideration of the lay testimony regarding the alleged fall during a pre-deployment to the Middle East.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his right arm and shoulder disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The decision on the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, skin disorders of the face and low back, but denied service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disorders.