Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to December 15, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability and has withdrawn his appeal on the issue of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current left shoulder disability incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to noncompliance with the March 2014 Board remand directives. The case must be returned for another VA examination of his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to obtain an adequate medical opinion and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed shoulder, low back, ankle, and hip disabilities. The decision also addressed hypertension and respiratory/pulmonary conditions but did not grant any of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, right and hip disabilities, and a compensable rating for his right fifth toe disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or other etiological factors.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 20 percent rating for his right shoulder disability since February 26, 2015. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which affects his dominant upper extremity, has manifested with pain, tingling, and loss of range of motion to approximately the shoulder level for the entire time on appeal. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. Specifically, you need to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before a Board Member at your local RO.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability does not result in limitation of motion to shoulder-level, and therefore the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining issues due to lack of evidence or clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional development is needed to determine if any current left knee, right knee, or left shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection for throat or esophageal cancer have not been met, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability did not have its onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression) is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability required a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 from November 1, 2011 to May 18, 2012 due to severe postoperative residuals.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability also required a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 from March 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014 due to severe postoperative residuals.