Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability status.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, neurocognitive disorder, left foot condition, status post right foot infection, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, degenerative joint disease of the left elbow, degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, degenerative joint disease of the left hand, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle have been reopened. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and lower back condition were not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 17, 2015 and service connection for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records. The right shoulder disability claim is also being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the date of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right shoulder, right elbow, and right leg disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a TDIU effective March 14, 2016.,VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his left shoulder scar. The Veteran was granted service connection on March 14, 2016, when he filed his claim for a TDIU.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability and left shoulder scar remains pending as the Board has remanded these issues.,VA denied the Veteran's request to connect his right wrist disorder with service. The issue is currently under review by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, tendonitis, bilateral shin splints, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The claim of service connection for a right shoulder condition is reopened, and the appeal is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, heart condition, hypertension, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and several musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU was based on multiple service-connected conditions, not a single condition. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on housebound is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but the right knee disability remains in dispute due to insufficient nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, hepatitis C, liver disease and cirrhosis, but denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis rheumatoid (atrophic), left shoulder, was previously denied in August 1985 and February 1995. New evidence has been submitted that supports the existence of a current disability, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's skin condition was reopened, but his increased rating for left shoulder disability and service connection claims were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a homicide, finding that bipolar disorder did not contribute to his death. The preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran’s service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left shoulder septic arthritis due to a VA procedure, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather increased ratings and remand of certain issues.