Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examination of the Veteran's left shoulder is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and whether it is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for OSA, increased ratings for his shoulder disabilities, and an initial compensable rating for a right shoulder scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional clarification and evidence, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his symptoms.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residual surgical scar status post ganglion cyst removal have been denied. Her right shoulder and right wrist CTS issues are remanded.,The Board has referred the Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, as these matters require additional development.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for left elbow is dismissed. The claim of service connection for right shoulder disorder, including arthritis and rotator cuff tear, is remanded due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's claims for increase ratings in Meniere’s syndrome and depressive disorder have been withdrawn.,The issues of service connection for colitis, TDIU from December 1, 2012 to August 4, 2016, and the remaining appeal are remanded.

The Board has decided that the service connection claims for various injuries during active service need to be remanded due to missing service treatment records. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and re-adjudicate the issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and foot conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 11, 2016. The Board has granted this rating and the case is remanded for further action regarding a higher rating.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his left shoulder disability as of May 11, 2016. The case is being remanded for additional examination to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining private occupational/physical therapy records and providing a VA addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's additional shoulder disability was caused by post-operative care after his October 2012 right shoulder surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical treatise evidence that addressed possible relationships between sleep, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches and PTSD. The claims are now recharacterized as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, a left index finger disability, and a right knee disability have been granted. The disabilities are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including his hand/fingers, elbows, knees, left shoulder, and back conditions. The claims have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but an earlier effective date is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to July 11, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and bilateral foot disorder (claimed as pes planus), due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence of such conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

Service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is granted.,Service connection for a right foot condition, claimed as right foot pain, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in this decision.,Service connection for migraines is granted.