Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for osteoporosis of the femurs, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. Additional development is needed to address conflicting medical opinions and consider new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports, inconsistencies between prior examinations, and referral to the Director of Compensation Services (Director) for an extraschedular rating.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is being referred to the Director for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has found substantial compliance with the directives to remand, but there are still issues that need further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his knee disabilities and left shoulder disability, as well as his schizophrenia claim and TDIU claim, will be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bilateral shoulder pain and chronic neck pain due to degenerative arthritis, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent from February 8, 2013 for asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claims for workers' compensation and must be remanded to obtain relevant records. Additionally, he needs medical examinations or opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability, left hip and shoulder disabilities, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for back disability. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran’s left upper extremity disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to the Veteran's inability to attend previously scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for determining the nature and etiology of the appellant's left shoulder disorder, left wrist disorder including carpal tunnel syndrome, and right leg varicose veins. The RO must obtain her complete service personnel records and schedule a new medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. Further examination is required to determine if any diagnosed disorders are related to service.

Your service connection claims for hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, seasonal allergies, left ear hearing loss, and non-specific joint pain have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for residuals of ovarian cancer, status post total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. You are also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the appeal of his earlier effective date claim for tinea pedis.

The appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and instability of the left knee is dismissed.,The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals, left shoulder injury, hypertension, and skin rash have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including myalgia, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses include cystic growth on the right elbow, arthritis in the left elbow, and degenerative changes in the right and left knees and hips.,The Board also remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tension headaches and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as further development of his employment history.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been dismissed. The Board also indicated that additional development is needed for his claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service or service-connected pes planus.,The Board reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.