Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an unspecified hematoma, GERD, and TDIU have been dismissed. The appeal for the extension of a temporary total rating (from May 31, 2012) beyond July 31, 2012, for chronic bursitis of the right shoulder has been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability has been dismissed. The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted a temporary TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the last decision and must be considered. The case is also remanded for further examination of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of deltoid disability or any other claimed conditions, and thus service connection is denied. The issues of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left calf disability, and sinusitis are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular rating on appeal. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing light, sedentary occupational activities despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for neck disability, back disability, and left ankle arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's testimony indicates that his current disabilities may be related to service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery necessitated a period of postoperative convalescence from February 23, 2012 through March 31, 2012. The Board granted the temporary total evaluation based on this need for convalescence.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability, as well as the right leg radiculopathy, are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete VA treatment records and verifying his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's spouse requires aid and assistance due to her medical conditions, including COPD, which limits her ability to perform daily activities such as preparing meals and managing finances. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip pain, right shoulder pain, tremors, and back pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence received since the May 1987 denial is sufficient to reopen the claim. The next step is to determine if the current right shoulder disability was incurred in service or related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent from March 21, 2011, and 40 percent beginning June 9, 2016. The right shoulder disability is granted a 30 percent initial evaluation starting June 9, 2016. TDIU is granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding his ability to work. The issue of extraschedular evaluation for migraines is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation based on treatment for his service-connected right shoulder disability is denied because the effective date of his service connection was not established until after the surgery.