Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for right shoulder arthritis, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, a left ankle disorder, thorax contusion, and residual of head injury.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional medical records in order to properly assess his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back condition, radiculopathy, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder condition, back condition, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and a higher initial rating for the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee condition. The issues of service connection and TDIU are now inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder tendonitis is being remanded due to the failure to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right foot arthritis with hallux valgus, and GERD.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Veteran's records.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for various disabilities secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.,The Board is also remanding the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension as they are inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.,The Board is remanding the issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lymphatic cancer of the neck, oropharyngeal or tonsil cancer, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to evaluate his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder condition and bilateral leg, hearing loss, tinnitus, rib condition, head injury, and left shoulder conditions. The claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and left shoulder slap tear with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will ensure that the Veteran is provided with appropriate notice and scheduling for future examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, but the right shoulder condition appeal is dismissed as it has already been granted.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, emphysema, anxiety disorder, depression, back condition, jaw condition, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial disability ratings. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right hip disability (claimed as right knee), right shoulder tendonitis, patellofemoral syndrome, and migraines are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability was denied in June 1994, and the effective date of service connection is set at January 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the left shoulder disorder was caused by overuse of the left shoulder due to compensating for the service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic right shoulder disorder in service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that the current right shoulder disorder may not be presumed related to service.