Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disorders, including shoulder and wrist conditions as well as peripheral neuropathy. The RO is instructed to obtain private medical records from Dr. Rothman and Dr. Martin, and consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran’s representative regarding a potential aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to meet VA's duty to assist the Veteran in developing evidence to substantiate his claim for increases in the ratings for a right shoulder disability. Specifically, additional medical examinations are needed and a retrospective medical opinion is required.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous remands. The issues on appeal are related to bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition, and diaphragm injury.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran. The appeals were not related to service connection, but rather to issues regarding increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and requests for these records have not been completed. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional medical records from private providers, including Dr. Baldwin.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left shoulder condition, bilateral knee conditions, and PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded it. The appeal is also remanded for other issues including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied.,Service connection for the right knee disability is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease. The claim for secondary service connection to the left knee disability lacks legal merit.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, wrist, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. Service connection was also denied for chronic diarrhea. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained. The claims for service connection will be remanded until VA can obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The issues of service connection for left wrist and cervical neck disorders are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants DIC benefits on this basis.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right hip and left shoulder disabilities due to additional information that requires further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for an umbilical hernia with abdominal cramps and pain is granted, but the issue of service connection for the right shoulder disability remains pending due to remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder dislocation and major depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining employment prior to March 20, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and neck conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder abscess, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and bilateral carpal tunnel disorders due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also not granted for a current left heel disability as the Veteran did not demonstrate any functional impairment.