Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, hip, foot, and sleep apnea disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The issue is not about service connection but rather seeking an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they are considered to be separate from his already service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder disability that is related to his military service. His subjective complaints of pain do not constitute evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The issues related to his right shoulder, knee, and hypertension are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper assessment of evidence regarding whether the Veteran is entitled to a VA examination for his right shoulder. The issue remains unresolved and requires further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is not related to service and is not secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current severity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder pain and stomach condition to include ulcers are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his left knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right and left knee disabilities, as well as potential SSA records. The automobile and adaptive equipment claim and SMC claim are also inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder conditions are not related to his active service and denied both claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (other than substance-induced anxiety disorder). The claim for left elbow disability was not reopened. Service connection on direct incurrence basis is legally precluded.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of July 1, 2007 for the grants of service connection for right ankle strain, right shoulder strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left ankle strain, and residuals of a nasal fracture.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The case is now returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed shoulder and back disabilities, as well as their relationship to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was granted, and he is now rated at 10% for this condition. The claims for service connection for various joint conditions (left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, right shoulder) and restless leg syndrome were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 1990.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee degenerative changes, as well as a separate rating for left knee extension contracture. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. No effective date is provided.