Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right bicep tear/injury has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his left shoulder disability due to incomplete information regarding the claimed stressors. The Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD based on two in-service stressors, but the date range for one of them could not be verified. For the left shoulder disability, a new examination is required as the previous VA examination did not provide adequate testing and failed to consider whether the condition flares up.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The earlier effective date claim for the right shoulder rating has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, lumbago and paravertebral muscle strain with pain and muscle spasms, and residuals of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability, but denies these claims as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection. The claim for hypertension and respiratory disability (asthma) remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a compensation examination. The Veteran's eye disorder is being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder condition and right toe injury due to lack of entitlement under the law as the Veteran was discharged from active duty under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder strain and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct. The severance of service connection for right shoulder strain is also being considered.,Issues related to initial compensable ratings for neck scar and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and service. A new opinion is required from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, and further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder surgery required convalescence or severe postoperative residuals.

The Veteran's right-shoulder disorder is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.,Service connection for low-back disorder was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, upper arm, hip, leg, and foot disabilities as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for convalescence through November 30, 2016, for right shoulder rotator cuff surgery. The issue of service connection for a bilateral ear disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is directly related to service or caused by his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for left shoulder and right knee disabilities are denied. The case is remanded to determine if service connection can be established for a left knee strain secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability and TBI residuals, were denied. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or current condition related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records, and she needs to be examined by VA to determine if her current shoulder disorders are related to her military service.