Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine is restored to a 60 percent rating effective January 1, 2015. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or other functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral rotator cuff tears are unclear as to whether they were incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine the etiology of the diagnosed rotator cuff tears and their relationship to service-connected shoulder bursitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for updated clinical records and an orthopedic examination of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to her claimed left shoulder injury, left arm condition, right knee injury, cervical strain, or lumbar strain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made on the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence of a connective tissue disorder, which may be related to in-service chemical exposures. The VA will obtain additional medical records and personnel files, clarify his Persian Gulf veteran status, and schedule an examination.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, to include pes planus is reopened. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia) on secondary basis to service-connected fibromyalgia. Service connection is also granted for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities (bursitis and limitation of abduction), and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the circumstances of the Veteran's fall and death, which is necessary to determine if his service-connected disabilities contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's allegation of increased severity since previous examinations and for issues related to a compensable rating for scalp lacerations and service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder injury with acromioclavicular arthritis and thoracic outlet syndrome is rated at 20 percent, while a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the neurological symptoms affecting his left upper extremity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically those from Fort Gordon where he was injured in October 1988.

The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer and basal cell carcinoma of the left shoulder and right mid-chest, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was previously rated at 10 percent prior to November 2, 2012. From that date, the disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and other joint pain conditions are being remanded for further development. The issues of increased rating, compensable rating, service connection, and TDIU will be addressed after the additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his former employers.