Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be related to her active service.,Her right hip strain and degenerative joint disease with sciatic nerve involvement are found to be secondary to her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.,Her left ankle strain, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia are found to be secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.,Her left shoulder strain and osteoarthrosis are found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine stenosis with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain relevant SSA records, clarify the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, and schedule the Veteran for an examination by a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and a need to provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, hip and knee conditions, ankle, wrist, plantar fasciitis, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The right wrist is rated at 50 percent since September 25, 2014; the left shoulder is rated at 30 percent since September 25, 2014; and the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion addressing his right shoulder disorder, including any neurological disorder of the right upper extremity. Additionally, he must be provided with a statement of the case regarding his initial increased rating claim for unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD and sleep disorder).

The Veteran's appeal for aid and attendance allowance for J.R. was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right elbow disability was not incurred in or caused by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and asthma are inadequate. The claims must be remanded to obtain new examinations with proper opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, bilateral eye disability, emphysema and pneumonia, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are all denied as not related to service.,A compensable initial rating for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for the bilateral foot disability has been granted, effective March 5, 2013.,For his left knee disability, the appeal is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, right knee, bilateral shoulder, and left hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disorder or right shoulder disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected cyclothymic disorder with insomnia is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 1997. The Veteran's muscle spasms and joint pain are found to be due to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, bilateral lateral epicondylitis, and ORIF of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as his additional disability did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.