Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various shoulder and ankle disabilities due to unclear periods of active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The appellant needs to be examined to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow VA to obtain all available service treatment records and corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors. Additionally, the Veteran needs to have additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. Service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders are restored due to improper severance of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including left and right shoulder, cervical spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service complaints and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's right thigh numbness, diagnosed as meralgia paresthetica, is granted service connection. For the left and right shoulder disabilities prior to August 25, 2015, a 10 percent rating is granted for each. The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are also granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 29, 2015. For urinary calculi (kidney stones), the Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 25, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder with limitation of motion of the arm and degenerative joint disease, as well as impairment of the scapulohumeral joint, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA needs to obtain additional records and conduct a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding records and for obtaining authorization to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, including as secondary to the service-connected right wrist pain. The rating for right shoulder sprain with supraspinatus tendinitis and impingement syndrome is remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in June 2012. The rating for right wrist pain is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is also denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities need further investigation, as requested records have not been obtained.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except lumbar strain, which was granted. The remaining conditions were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a compensable rating for left elbow olecranon bursitis. The remaining conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left eye macula condition are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board denied service connection for joint and muscle pain (claimed as ankles, hips, wrists, feet, shoulders, hands, and neck) due to lack of evidence showing a current disability separate from the Veteran's already service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hand numbness and neck disorder. The Board found that these conditions were at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The lumbar paravertebral myositis remains rated at 10 percent, with the issue of entitlement to a higher rating also being remanded. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and another VA examination is needed to assess their severity.

The Board has determined that the previous VA examiner's opinions were inadequate and ordered a new examination. The August 2016 VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether any right shoulder disability began in service or within one year of separation, nor did they address if the Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder disability caused him to favor his right shoulder more than he would have otherwise, which could cause or aggravate any right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional argument and evidence from the Veteran, and will be reviewed by the AOJ.