Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for additional development, including providing adequate notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare on July 20, 2014 is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's back brace caused his clothing to wear out, and the Board granted payment of a clothing allowance for calendar year 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and his claims of secondary service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and erectile dysfunction due to additional evidence received after the March 2014 statement of the case. The claims are being remanded so that he can undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability and an increased rating for a left ankle disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including intestinal condition (diverticulitis), skin disability (residuals of dermatitis venenata), right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (major depression), heart disability, and prostate disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between current disability and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of epiglottis cancer and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 27, 2017. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to assess his current severity and etiology of his symptoms related to the treatment of his epiglottis cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The appeal is also remanded for additional examinations and rating determinations regarding his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder instability with recurrent dislocations and mild degenerative changes, finding that the Veteran's current disability is directly related to an in-service injury. The initial rating for coronary artery disease remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding her Reserve Service with periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities are denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records since November 2017 and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature of his claimed left shoulder disorder and current severity of his chronic headaches.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions. The Board has found that a 30 percent rating is warranted for IBS throughout the appeal period, but other claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to her use of zinc oxide, a skin medication prescribed for her service-connected chronic dermatitis.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities and his military service. The claims for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's labrum tear of the right shoulder with degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 20 percent.