Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for right shoulder, right elbow, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but this reduction is void ab initio. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and TDIU claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, as well as to attempt to obtain SSA disability records. The Veteran's service connection claim for his left shoulder disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and information.

The Board has granted service connection for irradiating pain from the cervical area to the right shoulder as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disorder, but denied service connection for degenerative changes of the right shoulder with impingement.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 9, 2015. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating but not a higher one.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to concerns raised in the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) and lack of compliance with the Court’s holding in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issues of rating left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disability and denied initial compensable ratings for scars of the head, neck, face, left abdomen scar (status post punch biopsy for melanoma), and left shoulder scar (status post melanoma removal and surgery).,The appellant did not have a current liver disability at any point during the appeal period. The Board found that his scars met criteria for a 30 percent rating but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tendonitis, has been granted. The issue is dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during a period of INACDUTRA in 1988, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for hepatitis was denied.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied. The Veteran's diagnosed left shoulder bursitis was not incurred in service and is not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation and acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease have been remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for the left ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied, and the Board found that he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

New evidence has been submitted, and the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder, hip, leg, knee, Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot disabilities. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.