Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further evidence regarding service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder condition that is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder and cervical spine disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his active duty service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders were all denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable evaluation (10%) for acne and syringomas since May 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied as he does not require regular aid and assistance from another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for goiter and right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for several of his claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis claim is addressed in the decision. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a current disability and no relationship to service.,Regarding the right shoulder, the VA examiner opined that the current condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness. However, the Veteran has additional medical evidence from an MRI showing tendinopathy and/or an incomplete thickness tear involving the supraspinatus tendon.,For the cervical spine disability, the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness. The Board finds this opinion more persuasive given the lack of documented treatment for neck pain after discharge and normal X-ray studies for many years following discharge.,The lumbar spine disability claim has been reopened but remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and no relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for pseudofolliculitis has new and material evidence received, but service connection is denied. The right shoulder disability claim remains pending due to need for additional examination. Service connection for the lumbar spine condition was previously denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension in service or within one year post-service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA addendum opinion to determine if his carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity was aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder dislocation and impingement syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder conditions are not related to service, but granted service connection for his right shoulder impingement syndrome and right rotator cuff tendinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder arthritis, left ring finger injury, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2012 for a 20% rating for the residuals of a right shoulder shrapnel wound is denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability within one year prior to the filing of his current claim.