Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of an appendectomy was reopened and granted service connection. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had an appendectomy during service, thus granting service connection.,Service connection for PVD was denied because the evidence did not show a relationship between the condition and service or secondary to service-connected pes planus. The VA examiner opined that the PVD was related to diabetes rather than service or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's shoulder condition claim was denied as there is no direct link to service, nor can it be considered secondary to service-connected pes planus. The Board found insufficient evidence of a current disability and lack of nexus opinions from medical professionals.,Service connection for the left leg or knee condition was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's in-service activities and his current condition. The VA examiner concluded that there is no direct service connection, nor can it be considered secondary to service-connected pes planus.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath was denied as he did not provide sufficient evidence or argument regarding any in-service event, disease, or injury related to the symptom.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, left shoulder disability, and tension headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for headaches and muscle aches, both claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a lower back condition, service connection for a left shoulder condition, and disability ratings for cervical spine and elbow conditions. The Veteran's private attorney requested additional medical opinions and the RO recognized the Veteran’s NOD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to his service-connected conditions. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and clarification of medical opinions regarding service connection for residuals of a head injury, back condition, and headaches.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of the right shoulder and right calf injuries, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability had its clinical onset due to injury sustained during active service and grants service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative residuals of right shoulder superior labral tear, which is a direct service connection case, were incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial ratings assigned for various service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Lumbar Spine Disability, and others.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and related conditions have been denied.,Issues regarding the Veteran's right and left medial epicondylitis, as well as his shoulder rotator cuff tears, are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim of weight gain is denied as it does not constitute a disease or injury for which service connection may be established.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s left knee osteoarthritis and chronic right knee strain have been rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder joint sprain, status post acromion open reduction and internal fixation has been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at noncompensable (0%). The Board finds no basis for an increased rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder residual surgical scar and left side of hip residual surgical scars have both been rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating given the current clinical findings.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s restless leg syndrome has not been evaluated by VA as it is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip disability, and head injury have all been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, status post penis carcinoma, and right shoulder status post lipoma. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination based on the evidence of record. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for post-operative, right shoulder superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair and debridement of a partial rotator cuff tear is granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of a CUE in the 1971 rating decision and an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted. The claims for skin disability and left shoulder disability are denied. Hypertension remains under review.