Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's representative withdrew all of the Veteran’s issues that are currently on appeal, including the right shoulder strain, right knee disability, and ventral hernia ratings.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and his combined disability rating remains at 60 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's mental health history. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder strain, evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder beginning January 14, 2014, and effective date earlier than January 14, 2014 for the award of a 50 percent evaluation for anxiety disorder are all remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disorders are related to her service, specifically her complaints of shoulder pain and bursitis during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and left shoulder disabilities due to a failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations or provide notice of non-attendance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The VA needs to obtain his medical records, conduct new examinations, and provide a thorough assessment of his shoulder conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder injury, finding that there was no evidence showing an in-service injury and insufficient continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, headaches, and hypertension disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on whether a right knee bony density is related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder have been granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including left foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neurological, arm, upper extremity neuropathy, right leg, neck, and back disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain in-service hospitalization records from 1976-1979 and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship of these disorders to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires further examination and review to determine if he sustained additional disability as a result of his June 2010 surgery, and whether such disability was caused by VA care. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for a right eye disability, but the issue of service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted as the evidence shows that his current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, status post lipoma removal, upper back and right shoulder disability is granted a 10 percent rating prior to July 19, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection effective December 5, 2011. The claim for left big toe amputation compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's heart condition, vision loss, back conditions, lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis, right hip condition, kidney failure, arthritis, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, varicose veins, carpal tunnel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with moderate generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury with memory loss is denied as he does not have such residuals. The claims for PTSD, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, thoracic spine scoliosis (claimed as trauma to the spine), and left ear hearing loss are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues for further evaluation, including those related to arthritis and wrist conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, as well as a left knee disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.