Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for right foot, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, low back, right knee, and left knee disorders have all been denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic complications (particularly peripheral neuropathy), and shoulder conditions, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 12, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a back condition and secondary service connection claims. The rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, lower back disorder, blurry vision, and tinnitus. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. Other service-connected disabilities are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded seven issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claim for skin condition is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, but the claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of recent VA examinations and new evidence added to the file. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to a lack of STRs, which were not provided. The Veteran is also required to participate in a VA examination or provide a completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) by her private physician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his military service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion considering the continuity of symptoms and a possible in-service injury.

This decision dismisses the appeal for service connection of scarring above right eye. The Veteran's appeals on right arm/shoulder disability, right knee disability, hypertension, and TBI residuals are remanded.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a right arm/shoulder or right knee disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.,Hypertension is remanded due to the absence of relevant private medical records. The Veteran's TBI claim is also remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, and bilateral shoulder disability due to a lack of examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid cancer, loss of feeling in right shoulder, and loss of feeling in left shoulder. The claims were based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but the medical opinions found no link between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthropathy and joint pain, specifically involving the left and right ankles and the left and right hips, has been granted. The evidence now suggests that the Veteran may have psoriatic arthritis affecting his ankles and hips.,The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, claimed as secondary to medications taken to treat service-connected psoriasis, has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to active service and concluded that his symptoms are not related to any incident during service. For the left shoulder, a 30% rating effective March 8, 2013, was granted.

The Veteran's spouse was added to his VA disability compensation effective December 18, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if his sleep apnea and left shoulder disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left leg below knee amputation is rated at 60% and his left shoulder rotator cuff tear with impingement syndrome remains at 20%. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent effective March 3, 2017. The Board has ordered additional development for other claims and issues.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for right shoulder disability was denied as he did not require convalescence beyond September 30, 2014.