Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and residuals injury right acromioclavicular joint (right shoulder) are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with new examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain medical records and arrange a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset in service or was otherwise caused by his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and arm strain, lumbosacral strain, mood disorder, and bilateral flat feet as well as his claim of an earlier effective date. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and back disorder. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol abuse is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of breast cancer, status post right mastectomy has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and left cubital tunnel syndrome render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and joint pain, as well as his ratings for lumbar spondylosis and muscle spasm, right knee contusion with lateral meniscus tear, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and headache disability due to inadequate opinions in the June 2013 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the right shoulder disability, including a lack of medical documentation after service and potential private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip and left hip disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle condition, finding that these disabilities are caused by his over-compensating gait.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability had its clinical onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury. The case will be returned for an additional opinion by a completely different examiner who must consider the Veteran’s assertions that he has had bilateral shoulder complaints since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, tinnitus, and migraines (chronic headaches with prostrating attacks).,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions that began during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his left shoulder strain, left ankle strain, and dermatitis of the chest and upper back due to incomplete examinations and outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, rib contusion, bilateral foot disorder (other than skin disorder), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease and total shoulder arthroplasty have been rated, but the claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service connection was reopened.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), bilateral flat feet, left hip disability, right hip condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.