Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient support for the credibility and competency findings, and a need for a retrospective opinion on the functional impact of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and evaluations in excess of certain percentages for various conditions, as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder arthroplasty is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preexisting conditions did not worsen beyond their natural progression during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records and a clarifying medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's requests to reopen their service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of VA treatment records, lay statements, and private medical opinions that supports the presence of current diagnoses related to these conditions and links them to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as they are not yet fully developed.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for a right knee sprain and an evaluation higher than 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tear. The hypertension claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, left Achilles tendonitis, left elbow olecranon bursitis with spur, and right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease are all rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to the possibility of relevant SSA records not being included in the claims file.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all appeals.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40% since April 19, 2018. The Board has remanded issues related to service connection for residuals of a whiplash injury and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder condition, which is currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of impairment of the humerus or other conditions that would justify a higher evaluation. The highest available rating for limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5200 and 5201 remains at 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right shoulder pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, and a psychiatric disability (asocial personality).,No new evidence was found to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, migraines, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and hypertension have been reopened.,However, the Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder sprain is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative changes.,The Veteran's left hand numbness and right hand numbness are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their relationship to his service-connected conditions or other factors.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative changes are being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with thoracic spine degenerative changes is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for a VA dermatologist opinion on whether his topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's post-operative right shoulder disability prior to April 28, 2017. The case is remanded as there are no current treatment records and an examination is needed to assess the current severity of the condition.