Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current conditions are related to his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service motorcycle accidents, but there is no medical evidence of a diagnosis or etiology for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and severity of his spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, cervical spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis, and acquired psychiatric condition. The VA also needs to obtain SSA records and update treatment records.

The Board has decided the case in favor of the Veteran, finding that his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not been rated higher than 20 percent, and he is granted a TDIU prior to May 18, 2011.,An earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is remanded due to the interrelated nature with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and ADHD; bilateral hearing loss; and right shoulder dislocation.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least in equipoise with his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals. The claim of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right foot was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, with the onset likely during active duty.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder secondary to right shoulder strain is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis was reopened and granted. The claim for left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible disability rating since November 28, 2012. Effective August 15, 2018, he is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities that are also service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability separate and distinct from his already service-connected cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities. Therefore, service connection for a right hand disability is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The claims for TBI, dizziness, HTN, bone spur and wart of the right foot, blurred vision, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, migraine headaches, and residuals of fractured right shoulder were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right index finger disability, low back disability, skin disability, and sciatica of both lower extremities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disabilities and whether a right hand disability is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for right hand disability, residuals of a right foot injury, bilateral knee disability, and COPD. The claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, elbow, and knee disorders as well as his migraine headache claim due to potential outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and headache disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date before December 6, 2010 for the grant of service connection for right shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease was denied as there were no prior claims or informal communications indicating intent to seek this benefit.