Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to physical limitations including chronic back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits are affecting this case.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to the use of a wheelchair, medication for a skin disorder, and wrist braces. The reasons include that none of these conditions are service-connected, or if they were, their use does not benefit other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for any private treatment records from Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine, hands, feet, elbows, wrists, ankles, and shoulders render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. After considering all evidence, including reasonable doubt, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for her left shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities prior to April 7, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support granting a compensable rating for the left shoulder disability or a rating exceeding 30 percent for the bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, shoulder, right-hand, knee, foot, and ankle disabilities are not properly adjudicated due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Board therefore remands these issues for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran served in combat and if so, what injuries he sustained. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's symptoms related to his claimed conditions have not been evaluated in a recent VA examination, so additional examinations are needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the last VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU for the period from June 1, 2011 to September 26, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his hemorrhoids, and a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery for his service-connected hemorrhoids.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right knee disability or right shoulder disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent disabling under DC 5201 due to limited abduction, but no higher because there was no evidence of ankylosis.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities, but denied it for a left and right shoulder disability (other than cervical radiculopathy).

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease entity in service or attributable to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for anxiety is denied as there is no separate diagnosis from PTSD. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied because it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right shoulder condition due to inadequate VA examination and opinion. The examiner failed to provide an adequate rationale for the proffered opinion, including the Veteran's in-service injuries and symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of information regarding the Veteran's employment history. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The claim for accrued benefits is denied because the Veteran had no pending claims at the time of his death. The cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest due to age, underlying cardiac disease, and coronary artery disease) was not caused by service-connected conditions or presumed exposure to herbicides.