Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his shoulder and gastrointestinal conditions have been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The issue of an esophageal stricture evaluation prior to July 9, 2013 has been remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and eczema were denied service connection. The Veteran's pelvic fracture residuals, hip strain with degenerative changes, and knee strain with degenerative changes are being remanded for further evaluation.,Individual unemployability is deferred pending the outcome of the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for further development of his records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his surgeries, post-operative care, and any current disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, bone spurs of the cervical spine, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, DJD of the left knee, residuals of a head injury with concussion/TBI, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for left knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, headaches, erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chest pains, blurred vision, and dizziness are pending.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for 'degenerative disease of the whole body,' right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and an increased rating for right ankle degenerative joint disease. The claims for high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for thoracolumbar strain is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims file.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no indication that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, lower back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluation and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the VA examination of August 2017, and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability but denied service connection for a left knee disability. The right shoulder disability is related to an injury sustained during the Veteran's honorable period of active duty service, while the left knee disability is not related to his honorable period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to August 7, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The claim for TDIU from March 2, 2017 to August 6, 2018 was also denied as the Veteran met the percentage thresholds but could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left carpal tunnel disabilities were dismissed due to the RO granting them in full. The right ear hearing loss disability, actinic keratosis (skin condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, GERD, and TBI have been denied. Service connection for hypertension has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit. His disabilities are rated at less than 100 percent combined, and he is able to leave his home without assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, blurry vision, and blindness due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or causation. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and left shoulder AC joint separation was granted. The claims for right shoulder disability, right hand condition, and plantar fasciitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral foot disorder, cardiac arrhythmia/abnormal EKG, prostate disorder, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, neck, right hip disabilities and ulcerative colitis with stomach issues due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.