Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The decision on the merits will be reviewed.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for left shoulder strain and PTSD is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and whether they are related to service-connected conditions or substance abuse.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral shoulder disorder, including whether it is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability and addressing whether the November 2001 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error.

Service connection for primary thrombocytopenia, right shoulder disorder, and lumbar spine disorder is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability ratings for her service-connected left (minor) shoulder, bilateral plantar fasciitis of the feet, and right and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient examination findings. She needs new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, skin cancer and skin problems, and bilateral hearing loss were denied.,An initial compensable rating of 10 percent was granted for bilateral hearing loss effective February 21, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the conditions claimed, except for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully-informed decision on the service connection claims for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, fibromyalgia, and others. The Veteran's medical history will be reviewed, and further examinations may be conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, dental disorder, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and other musculoskeletal issues, has been granted. However, some claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The appeals for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, and back disorders are dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for chronic extensor tendon tear at distal interphalangeal joint with arthritis, right little finger. The claims for service connection of the right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for multinodular goiter, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient development of the records. The Veteran's service connection claim for multinodular goiter is reopened based on new evidence, but further medical opinions are needed for both right knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder and neck disorders are related to his military service.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability and neurological disorder of the lower extremities (claimed numbness of the bilateral feet) is denied.,Effective dates prior to September 18, 2012, for the grant of service connection for cervicalgia, numbness of the left hand, cervicalgia, numbness of the right hand, and migraine headaches are not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions are currently rated based on their severity.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for further examination.