Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection. The issues of service connection for TBI, increased ratings for shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and upper back with retained foreign body, left shoulder scar, mid-back inferior lateral scar, and posterior lateral left lower back scars are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including ankle sprains, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found no current disabilities that could be linked to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings on multiple conditions, including prostate cancer, shoulder disabilities, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, knee instability, ankle disabilities, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and found that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of left shoulder strain. However, the Board denied service connection for all other claimed disabilities as they were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The right shoulder disability is currently under review as it may be related to active service.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, effective date claims, and service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and skin disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of service connection for a shoulder condition, neck condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an unspecified neurological condition due to an anthrax shot.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and PTSD are also denied. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,No specific exposure basis was provided, and there is no indication of a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and examinations related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his right shoulder, low back, left foot, and major depressive disorder claims have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use, blindness, or severe burn injury. The Board found no inhalation injury and denied eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2014. Therefore, TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records, as there is no current evidence linking the Veteran's right shoulder condition to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a right shoulder condition. The Veteran's service treatment records and VA examination do not provide sufficient information to determine if his current right shoulder disability is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues of higher initial ratings and remand for additional examinations are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the condition did not manifest during periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left shoulder, left hip, right hip, and left knee/patella conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions.