Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, which was documented in service as inflammation of tendons, is not related to his active service. The Veteran did not seek treatment for this condition until over two decades after separation from service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and tinnitus are service-connected, but the evidence does not show that they render him unemployable. The Board finds that he has not met the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new evidence and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), myocardial infarction (cardiac arrest), lumbar spine injury, and degenerative joint disease of cervical and thoracic spine are not related to service or any incident thereof. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and alcoholism is considered as the primary cause for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement with ankylosis is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, secondary to his right thumb disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not granted as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and clarifying the nature of the Appellant's National Guard service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including small bowel resection, pelvic inflammatory disease, major depressive disorder, and other conditions, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her education and occupational experience.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, which did not adequately address functional limitations caused by repetitive use over time. The case will be referred to the Compensation Service Director for extraschedular consideration if the combined disability rating does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's neck injury, left knee DJD, and chondromalacia patella conditions.,The current ratings of 20%, 10%, and 10% remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability was denied because she failed to report for the scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to August 31, 2017 and remains at 20 percent from that date onward. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder condition, right ankle condition, and chipped tooth have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support these claims and remands them for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knees, shoulder, and back conditions, contributed to the cause of death due to pulmonary thromboembolism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a central skeletal system condition, including fibromyalgia or conditions of the shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, or feet, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence of an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran is also not entitled to TDIU.