Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, collarbone, cervical spine, right ankle, bilateral big toe, and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the current diagnoses were not related to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran will need updated VA examinations and verification of his Reserve duty periods.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim for a bilateral shoulder disability, specifically the right clavicle fracture and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including ankylosis and post-traumatic arthritis, is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to allow for a fully-informed decision regarding the Veteran's right hip disability, including whether it had onset in service or is etiologically directly related to active service. The examiner should provide opinions on whether the current right hip disability is caused by any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and if it is aggravated by any of them.

The Veteran's left shoulder bursitis was initially evaluated as noncompensable from April 1, 2006 to March 26, 2013 and upgraded to 20 percent disabling from March 27, 2013. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder bursitis disability has been granted a rating of at least 20 percent since February 11, 2013. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC under Section 1114(o) was denied as he did not meet the criteria for any of the rates provided in Sections 1114(l), (m), (n), or (o). The Board found that his service-connected disabilities have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both arms, hands, legs, feet, or eyes, nor has he been permanently bedridden or helpless as to need regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, left and right knee disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an earlier effective date for the right knee disability. The issues of service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated in a thorough and proper manner.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for right elbow pain. The Board also denied an increased schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete disability ratings and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for SMP is also pending.

Service connection for a left shoulder disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and a left hip disorder (arthritis) is denied.,The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during his active duty. The current diagnoses were first noted decades after discharge.