Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent, effective January 23, 2015. Ratings were granted for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but not for his right knee disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to determine if it was aggravated by service or whether it existed prior to service.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable rating for hypertension prior to August 14, 2015 and to a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter is dismissed. The claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right shoulder infraspinatus tear with adhesive capsulitis, and recurrent right ankle sprain with degenerative changes are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examination and treatment records review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder arthritis, granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and remanded the issue of an initial rating for chronic muscular strain and degenerative disc disease in the thoracic and lumbar spine.,An additional VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected chronic muscular strain and degenerative disc disease in the thoracic and lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and right shoulder SLAP tear, but has remanded both issues due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several of his disability rating claims due to a lack of recent VA examinations that comply with current legal requirements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and thus cannot be granted service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder strain. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for PTSD, a recurrent headache disorder, a recurrent left shoulder disorder, and a recurrent multiple joint disorder. The initial rating for major depressive disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and neurological disabilities. The VA examiner did not consider the effects of constant deep sea diving during service on these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now REMANDED for additional examinations and opinions regarding various other issues, including service connection for right hand/wrist, bilateral ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities; initial ratings for knee and lumbar spine disabilities; and a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 7, 2017. The case is remanded for further action regarding the prior period and for extraschedular consideration of his IHD.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right great toe disabilities have been granted increased ratings. The claim for service connection of the left knee disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to in-service shoulder strain.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and requires additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral foot, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.