Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining prison treatment records and addressing increased rating issues.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for vision impairment, bilateral arm disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension as there was no evidence of onset or aggravation during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder. The cases of irritable bowel syndrome, depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including arthritis, is not related to his active military service. The claim for OSA remains pending as there are insufficient medical records available at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, shoulder, and hip disabilities are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and extent of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the origins and severity of his hip disorder, varicose veins, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his right knee and shoulder disabilities, including assessing functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including his degenerative joint disease, was not caused by VA care and treatment. The surgery to stabilize the recurrent dislocations did not involve fault on VA's part nor failure to obtain informed consent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his left shoulder disability claim. The Veteran's hearing loss and knee disabilities were also denied. His right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, and his skin and wrist conditions did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current left shoulder disability or bilateral hearing loss at any time prior to his death, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder strains are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted an initial compensable evaluation, but the claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right shoulder and arm disability, a cervical spine disability, and a back disability. The Veteran's new evidence is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted, as it was incurred in active service.,Service connection is also granted for right C-7 radiculopathy, which is secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left leg tarsal tunnel syndrome, effective July 27, 1992, and for bilateral subtalar varus, also effective July 27, 1992. The earliest evidence of these conditions dates back to his military service in 1970 and 1971.