Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder pain, and severe headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of in-service disease or injury, as well as a lack of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, and needs further review by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50% since January 5, 2009. The left shoulder disorder has not been rated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and providing addendum opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are not entitled to a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar strain, neck disability, and right ankle disability are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee condition. The issues of service connection are now before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to a lack of proper range of motion testing and other necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disorders. The case will be returned to the AOJ after completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder and asthma disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for a right shoulder and left knee examination, and address the issues of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and soft tissue sarcomas of the lung and right upper extremity/right shoulder are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy that are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD, headaches, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, brittle nails, and syphilis are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent prior to July 12, 2016 and 60 percent since then.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn all pending claims on appeal due to the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and fibromyalgia were not caused by his service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his hiatal hernia with diverticulosis of the colon and atrial fibrillation. The current ratings do not fully reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for fractures of the left arm and right hand/wrist, as well as venous insufficiency. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claimed generalized joint and muscle pain has been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and is not related to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Board finds that service connection cannot be granted as the symptoms are not due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.