Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, a compensable rating for her right hip disability with limited flexion and right thigh impairment, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records, complete the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, request information regarding in-service stressors, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcoholism. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appeals were remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between his active service and these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the VA's failure to provide a proper examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is service-connected on a direct or secondary basis. The Veteran asserts that his right shoulder sprain was caused by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service connected as there was no in-service injury or disease and the current condition is unrelated to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted, but denied due to lack of a causal link between service and the current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes, type II due to herbicide exposure and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depression, and an anxiety disorder), as well as increased ratings for right arm disabilities. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service Agent Orange exposure and schedule him for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Right Shoulder Disability, Cervical Spine Disability, and Lumbar Spine Disability due to inadequate examination in the previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hand, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for creatine phosphokinase has been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for left ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and therefore denied service connection for all issues. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder impingement, chondromalacia patella, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded four issues: right shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety), right ankle disorder, and ear disorder. The Veteran's claims are not ready for the Board’s review due to his failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for residuals of a right collarbone fracture and disabilities of the right shoulder, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pain in neck, bilateral elbows and shoulders, chest cavity pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and headaches have been reopened. The Board has decided to remand these issues due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, knee, and arch conditions. The new evidence obtained includes incomplete STRs and SSA records. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the listed conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in January 2017.

The appeal to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder strain is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder strain was incurred in service and the claim is reopened. Service connection for a right shoulder disability is also granted.