Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's stroke is being remanded due to inadequate reasoning in the July 2011 VA opinion. The service connection claims for pain in the right arm and shoulder, expressive aphasia, tremors and weakness in hands, and right leg pain and weakness are also being remanded as they are secondary to the stroke. The SMC for aid and attendance claim is also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to a left knee disability; a cervical spine disability; and an asthma/COPD disability. The Board found that there was no evidence showing cause or aggravation in service but rather that the evidence showed post-service injuries.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no current disability.

The Board has reopened six previously denied claims of service connection and remanded them for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and incomplete analysis. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being reviewed for service connection, with a focus on whether it is related to his service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a disorder of the legs. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to outstanding medical records and previous VA examinations that did not fully address his symptoms.

Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and kidney disorder is denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not shown to be related to service. Diabetes mellitus, type II, did not manifest within one year of service discharge and is not caused by his service-connected knee disability. The Veteran's kidney disorder is also not shown to be related to service or due to diabetes mellitus.,The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service and/or due to injuries sustained or aggravated during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability due to the need for additional development. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the current level of severity of the service-connected right wrist condition and whether any right shoulder or right elbow disabilities are secondary to the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral hip conditions were denied service connection as they did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.,A 20% rating was granted for status post-operative left Achilles tendonitis, effective September 9, 2009 to October 16, 2014.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for service-connected left shoulder condition is being remanded due to missing treatment records from his orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, ocular sarcoidosis, and left shoulder scar were reopened. Service connection was granted for the left shoulder scar but denied for prostate cancer and ocular sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. A remand is necessary to assess the severity of his bowel leakage condition and its impact on his employability.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury. The claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, back disability (claimed as arthritis all over), and bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is also remanded.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions were denied. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, porokeratosis and tinea (previously fungal infection of the feet with jungle rot and trench foot), right and left shoulder disability, and left knee disability is granted. The effective date will be determined based on the evidence received prior to April 12, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The disabilities are considered to have originated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD, and TDIU.