Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder condition, neck disability, chronic right knee pain, and others. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and left total knee disabilities cannot be assessed due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of VA to obtain relevant medical records, particularly from August 2009 onwards. The Board also finds that contemporary examinations are needed for both right shoulder disability and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially granted a 20 percent rating prior to March 23, 2016. However, the claim for a higher rating since that date is denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder, an increased rating for right wrist disability in excess of 10 percent from June 7, 2012, and TDIU. The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back strain with degenerative disc disease, and right knee injury are inadequate. The Veteran is therefore being remanded to obtain new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right shoulder disability, service connection for back and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient examination addressing potential aggravation of shoulder disabilities by service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the cases for further examination regarding right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his ulcer and lung disabilities did not contribute to his death. The causes of death were attributed to aspiration pneumonia, dysphagia, and dementia.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for right shoulder and low back disabilities, as well as for a right leg and right foot disabilities. The Veteran's assertions regarding these conditions are inextricably intertwined with his low back disability claim, which is being remanded. Additionally, the Veteran's dental disability claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right shoulder muscle injury is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination was conducted, but it did not adequately address the Veteran’s symptomology related to his muscle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of left shoulder and neck disorders due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, left knee meniscus tear, and right knee meniscus tear are all rated at 10 percent each.,Service connection for depression is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is denied as there is no evidence of injury during service and the earliest documented chronic condition is several years after service.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy was rated at 20% effective January 5, 2016, based on a VA peripheral nerve examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding bilateral vision acuity loss has been dismissed.,New evidence received since the October 2010 decision relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, psychotic disorder, and anxiety). The appeals are granted as these claims have been reopened.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is of service origin and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow disability and an increased rating for right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left elbow disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder conditions, and he also seeks a higher rating for his right shoulder condition.