Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, low back, and right foot disabilities as there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to service or the period immediately following service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence of record. The appeals are therefore remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

Service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability is granted. Effective dates for the 20% ratings for left shoulder limited motion and recurrent dislocation are set at November 17, 2011.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, or skin condition. As such, the Veteran's claims for service connection in these areas are denied.,No rating assigned as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder and neck disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. Additional development, including VA examinations and opinions, is required.

The appeal to reopen a claim for PTSD is granted.,The claims for bilateral hallux valgus with hammertoe deformity and left hip disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 15, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a mood disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 100 percent for a mood disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disorder and right shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's request to reopen his diabetes mellitus, type II claim was granted. Service connection for left wrist condition and upper respiratory infection were denied. Service connection for left shoulder strain and right knee condition (degenerative joint disease and Osgood Schlatter's disease) were also denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and increased rating for right shoulder disability. The evidence did not establish aggravation of pre-existing left knee disability during service, nor was there any post-service treatment until September 2006. The VA examiner opined that the current left knee strain is related to a preexisting condition and not aggravated in service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and depression, left lower extremity radiculopathy, depression, a cervical spine disability, and right and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded due to conflicting evidence from VA examinations. His GERD is also remanded as new symptoms have been reported.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and granted a 30 percent evaluation for right shoulder disability. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Board has not decided service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder condition, left foot condition, or right foot condition. The claims are remanded for further development.

Your claim for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis has been granted, and the condition is now considered fully compensated. As a result, your appeal is dismissed.

The Board found the overpayment of $10,121.40 was not properly created and therefore the debt is invalid, making the issue of waiver moot.

The Veteran's service connection claim for trapezius spasm, to include neck and shoulder disorders is denied. The appeal for tinea pedis and right index finger laceration issues are also denied.

The Board finds that remand is warranted because the VA examination did not address functional impairment due to other service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right shoulder supraspinatus tendonitis. The Veteran's claims file must be made available to the examiner for an evaluation of his ability to function in a work setting and perform tasks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete records. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further development.