Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the limited range of motion in both shoulders.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for bilateral hand pain (claimed as arthritis) is denied because there is no current diagnosis of arthritis or other disability manifested by bilateral hand pain.,The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing the condition manifested during service or within one year thereafter, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include knee and shoulder disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and tinnitus due to incomplete information in his medical records. The Veteran needs to provide any relevant private treatment records, and he should be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder condition, an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's swelling of the hands due to a cold injury and arthritis of the bilateral hands, knees, and shoulders are denied as not related to active service.,The Veteran's asbestos exposure-related chronic disability is denied as there is no evidence of such exposure during service.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis or in-service incident linked to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma as it was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, but only effective from July 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left knee, low back, right shoulder, psychiatric (depression), post cataract removal right eye disability, and alopecia.

The Board denied service connection for valley fever, a scar of the right shoulder, and soft tissue abscess of the right scapula due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board has granted an initial higher rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain a VA examination for gout and determine if a compensable rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various types of arthritis in multiple joints have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or credible evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence in the form of additional personnel records, STRs, post-service medical records, and a VA examination that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, constipation, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and the need for further development regarding additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The VA will review these claims again after obtaining updated treatment records and conducting further evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of multiple sclerosis, a dental condition, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and hypertension. The Board also remanded several issues related to knee disabilities, neurological abnormalities, and head trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, right shoulder disability, right knee strain, allergic rhinitis, and migraines, were denied. The decisions are based on the current severity of these conditions as determined by VA examinations.