Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder was granted, and he is now in receipt of an initial evaluation.,Service connection for his right shoulder surgery with rotator cuff tear was denied. However, from March 10, 2017, he received a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the claims for low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and headaches/migraines disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee/leg condition, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's right shoulder strain, GERD, and bilateral foot condition are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied.,Claims seeking earlier effective dates for certain benefits are also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee have been granted initial ratings from November 1, 2011 to March 25, 2018. The rating for the lumbar spine was increased to 20% effective March 26, 2018.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and right ankle disabilities. However, it has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder and right elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the issues of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder osteoarthritis was granted, with the effective date being February 27, 2017. The decision also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's skin medication for use on his face due to service-connected pseudo-folliculitis barbae caused irreparable damage to his outer garments, and he is granted a clothing allowance. The other claimed appliances did not tend to wear or tear his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder disability was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for scars. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of his Gulf War service. The issues include multiple musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain records and determine if the Veteran's shoulder and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for shoulder and cervical spine disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the use of crutches.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and denied reopening of the claim. The Veteran's new evidence includes medical records showing current diagnoses of right shoulder tendonitis with mild impingement and arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.