Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for prostatism, right shoulder DJD, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD with left leg sciatica, and lichen simplex chronicus of the right temple.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and headaches (secondary to PTSD and/or service-connected conditions) have been granted. The case is remanded for a new examination to address the secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an orthopedic condition of the arms and shoulders has been reopened, but the claim is denied. The Veteran's claim for cold weather injury residuals of the ears was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff tear is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and back condition, finding no current disabilities related to in-service injuries.

The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to decide these claims and further evidentiary development is needed before decisions can be reached on the merits. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and prostate cancer, and verifying periods of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to clarify diagnoses and determine etiology. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and in-service harassment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include determining if his lumbar spine disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for further examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The Board also denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

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

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury during active duty training.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and upper back disability are related to her active duty service, including a September 2009 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.