Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or persistent symptoms of the claimed conditions, and thus denied all related claims.

The Board previously denied a claim for an increased rating for left shoulder tendinitis. The Veteran appealed, and the Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR), directing the Board to remand the case due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are rated appropriately. The case is being returned for further evaluation on the issues of service connection for hip disabilities, sacroiliac dysfunction, sleep disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis has been rated at 20 percent since December 2010. The Board found that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion is limited to 80 degrees with pain, which does not reach the level required for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease with impingement syndrome is rated at 10 percent and denied for a higher rating.,Service connection for low back pain is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection for bilateral knee pain is denied due to lack of evidence connecting the condition to service.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because it was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his honorable periods of service and for health care under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including from Dr. Constantine and Dr. Mazer since 2015, as well as reserve service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include increased disability ratings for left and right knee disabilities, a right shoulder disability, and right shoulder scarring.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left shoulder disorder. The Board found no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left elbow bursitis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he failed to provide the necessary employment information and did not report for scheduled VA examinations, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence showing possible in-service onset of symptoms.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability as it meets the definition of a present disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was caused by fear of hostile military activity during service. The right shoulder and bilateral elbow disabilities are denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or manifestation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD warranted a TDIU rating, and his other service-connected disabilities combined to more than 60 percent. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the December 2010 rating decision that failed to award SMC at the (s) rate due to CUE.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder impingement and TMJ dysfunction. The remaining issues are related to elbow, hand, hip, knee disabilities that need further examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain and PTSD are rated at 20 percent, but the rating for PTSD is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar was initially denied a compensable rating prior to August 2, 2017. A 10 percent rating is granted beginning on that date.,Service connection for heart disorder and bilateral wrist disorders are remanded due to outstanding records.,Right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability ratings are remanded as the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last examination in 2014.,Lumbar spine disability rating is remanded as the Veteran's range of motion has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014.,Bilateral foot disabilities and PFB of the face and upper neck are remanded due to outstanding treatment records. Migraine headaches are also remanded for a new examination.,,,

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's neck, left knee, bilateral shoulder, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.