Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as previous examinations and records do not provide sufficient information.

The claims for service connection for thoracic spine disability, UTI residuals, and restless leg syndrome are dismissed. The right shoulder disability, headache disability, acquired psychiatric disability, fibromyalgia, and colitis have been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's claims are otherwise pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The left shoulder disability, post-surgical, did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

Service connection has been granted for headaches, a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and residuals of a broken jaw. The Veteran's skin condition, claimed as jungle rot, traumatic brain injury to include syncope, right shoulder disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are all pending.,The Board has granted service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), and residuals of a broken jaw. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions were denied, while the claim for TDIU was granted. The effective date of a 30% rating for bronchitis is April 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, pulmonary fibrosis, scars to the left arm and shoulder, facial scars, and PTSD due to potential service connection issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulders, right hand disability other than ankylosis of the fifth right digit and left hand disability, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, residuals of a right knee fracture secondary to service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Board also remanded the issues regarding cervical spine and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint diseases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing military hospitalization records. The Veteran is also required to provide information about his private mental health provider and undergo a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain due to undiagnosed illness, but denied service connection for right shoulder pain and high blood pressure.

The Board has denied service connection for a right testicle condition. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, neck, and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's lung cancer and shoulder conditions are remanded for further development, including obtaining records of possible herbicide exposure during service. The PTSD claim is also remanded for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, and right ankle disorder have been granted. However, the claims for higher initial ratings for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient examination information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions due to a lack of evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as information regarding the 1980 sting operation.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability was reduced from 30% to 10%, but the Board has restored the prior 30% rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but has remanded them for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lung disorder, asthma, and sleep apnea claims are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, shoulder, hip, and leg disorders are denied.