Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that a right shoulder condition, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is not currently granted. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current shoulder conditions and his in-service diving activities.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and joint pain (knees and shoulders), but has remanded the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is sought for a psychiatric disorder, with the Veteran alleging that his current condition may have not been formally diagnosed during service.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, back, hip, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PVD of the bilateral lower extremities, lumbar back condition, left shoulder condition (to include numbness and tingling in the arm), and DJD of the right knee as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple joint disorders and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right knee, lower back, and neck disabilities. The Veteran's claim for a left foot disability was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus has been granted, as it is presumed incurred in service. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and psoriasis have been remanded.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination findings, inextricably intertwined issues, and need for further development of medical evidence.,The Board is also remanding the claim for TDIU as it is derivative of other claims currently before the Board.,All relevant treatment records must be obtained, including private records not already obtained.

The appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's acquired cervical spine disability, chest pains and/or thoracic outlet syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connected.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the May 2017 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional records are needed, including service treatment records from motor vehicle accidents in service, and new examinations and opinions are required.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol abuse, but granted a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings. The case is being remanded to address the left shoulder condition and cervical spine issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for left and right shoulder disabilities before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right hand disability, and a skin disorder (including eczema).,Service connection is also not granted for hypertension or a right knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder tendinitis were found to not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent ratings. The left shoulder tendinitis was also found to not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his claims related to right shoulder, bilateral hip and ankle disorders, and a right foot disorder. The rating for the fracture of the left fifth metatarsal remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to an inadequate August 2015 medical examination. The case will be returned for a new opinion that addresses all claimed in-service events, including lifting boxes and MVA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and unscannable documents. The cervical spine disability claim is also being remanded for a new opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have produced total occupational impairment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a scar on the left upper arm/shoulder has been denied, and his claim for an increased rating of residuals from a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder is remanded.