Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a hearing loss and tinnitus examination, and scheduling a lumbar spine examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current shoulder, elbow, hand and knee disorders. The Veteran is presumed credible in his statements about combat-related events during service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not manifested limitation of motion at shoulder level, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 16, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right shoulder injury with rotator cuff surgery, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and scar, right shoulder status post-surgical procedure due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's initial enlistment records are lost, and there is no medical record prior to October 1984.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral lower extremity chronic exertional compartment syndrome and scars have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,An effective date earlier than June 12, 2012, is denied for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left leg disability and related arthritis conditions has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Board has ordered additional medical examination and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis was granted a 20 percent rating for the period from June 3, 2015 to May 23, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disability (enlarged heart) is also reopened.

The Board has reopened several claims, including those for PTSD, but denied service connection for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder condition and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for wrist and hand conditions, as well as service connection for arthritis of the hands and fingers. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the period July 1, 2013 to October 14, 2013, and December 1, 2013 to June 5, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluation of residuals of squamous cell carcinoma, including left neck scar, disfigurement scars of the left ear and neck, right shoulder scar, mid-lower back scar, and left forearm scar. The issues are related to service connection and require a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip, shoulder, knee, ankle, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings have been denied. The claim for dry eye syndrome due to PRK surgery was not reopened, while the remaining issues were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder disability and major depressive disorder, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and has remanded the remaining issues related to spine conditions, joint disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and remands several issues for further action.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to lack of medical nexus between current condition and in-service injury.,The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded as there are insufficient records to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's vision disability (photophobia) and TBI residuals are granted. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination.