Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and to determine an appropriate effective date for his service-connected disability.

The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is reopened and granted. The claim for aching knee and shoulder joints, as due to undiagnosed illness, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not manifest in or are otherwise attributable to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still remanded as the Veteran failed to attend VA examinations scheduled in June 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia is not the sole cause of his current left and right shoulder, as well as left and right knee disabilities. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions as separate entities from fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded several of the Veteran's claims, including those for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right and left shoulder DJD, and bilateral knee DJD. The ALS claim is also remanded as it was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is related to service and whether it is secondary to his service-connected essential tremor of the left hand. The case is being remanded for these determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete development. The issues include left shoulder, left knee, back, and fifth metatarsal fractures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability due to new and material evidence submitted. However, the claim is still pending as it was remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and gout. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and provide more information regarding his conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating increase because he passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and lower back disabilities due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider relevant evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left shoulder degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for clarification of an examiner's opinion regarding carelessness, negligence or lack of skill during the Veteran's total shoulder replacement surgery.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal regarding service connection for low back disorder and bilateral foot disorders is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of his PTSD rating is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding the evidence supports that the injury occurred during service and has continued to worsen over time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the condition. The case is being returned to obtain more complete examination and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total disability rating and special monthly compensation on account of statutory housebound status, effective from July 31, 2012 until November 31, 2012. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitating convalescence.