Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred during his period of active service from June 2006 to October 2007.,The Veteran’s bilateral shoulder disabilities, right elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability are all related to injuries sustained during his periods of active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition, as well as the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left shoulder and neck scars is dismissed. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and additional medical evidence is needed. The issues of left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities are related to National Guard duty time which needs to be verified. The psychiatric disorder claim requires additional treatment records and a VA examination. Sleep apnea and hypertension are inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and ischemic heart disease disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, including a lack of information regarding flare-ups and additional loss of range of motion during such periods.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition has been granted. The Board found that new evidence related to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim, which is the onset and etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition(s), as well as his service-connected shoulder and back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including lymphadenopathy, right shoulder disorder, arthritis, right wrist disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, and tinnitus. The Veteran's period of service is noted to be during a period of INACDUTRA, which does not allow for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bursitis, a respiratory disorder (claimed as breathing difficulty), and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II has also been remanded due to the need for additional factual development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and lumbar spine disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule VA examinations for further evaluation of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of compensation for service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral ankle conditions are both denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot conditions are remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding effective dates earlier than August 7, 2016 for service connection for various conditions was denied.,The Veteran's appeals regarding initial disability ratings were either not addressed or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder arthritis and related secondary disabilities. The primary reason was the lack of a current disability linked to service.,There is no evidence of any current left elbow, right elbow, or right shoulder disabilities, nor are there sufficient symptoms that would support such diagnoses.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral arm/shoulder disability, low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle and foot disabilities, bilateral eye disability (claimed as myopia), left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that his depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not cause deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for right shoulder recurrent dislocations as new and material evidence was not presented.