Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and muscle pain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, as they are related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, lower back disorder, and residuals of gall bladder removal surgery. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives and a need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to August 23, 2010 due to factual errors in the January 2019 decision. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment at that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities due to a motor vehicle accident in active service. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the current shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to incomplete examination records and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine disability, right leg disability, folliculitis, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and lumbar strain. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left shoulder disorder, hypertension, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus II, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for left shoulder disability (osteoarthritis and capsulitis) is denied, as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. The compensable evaluation for laceration scar left shoulder is also denied.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal in May 2019. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple areas, including left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis and arthritis and muscle spasms of right shoulder, need further development to verify her Reserve service periods. The remaining issues are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple areas, including left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis and arthritis and muscle spasms of right shoulder, need further development to verify her Reserve service periods. The remaining issues are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that the February 2004 rating decision is not final and there are no records in the claims file that can be construed as a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, low back pain, left foot pain, chronic sinusitis, hallux rigidus (bilateral), head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for heart condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for the right shoulder disability, but only as a result of new evidence received since the final denial in 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cerebral vascular accident residuals and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him in need of aid and attendance prior to July 22, 2016. Since then, he has required assistance due to the severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims for service connection and special monthly compensation are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities of the neck, upper back, and shoulders are related to service. The examiner should consider both medical and lay evidence in addressing whether the disabilities were caused by or incurred in service.