Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied claims for left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition. The claim for a left knee condition is also denied. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hand arthritis and autoimmune disease claims are denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral ear condition, residuals of TBI, and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions and potentially issuing Supplemental Statements of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, bilateral hearing loss disability, jaw (TMJ) disability, left shoulder disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, raticulopathy of the left upper extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disability, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The issue of a higher rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome prior to September 26, 2016 and thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was restored to a 10 percent rating effective December 27, 2013. The appeal for increased ratings of his low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable initial rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing SSA records and other outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and PTSD. However, it granted service connection for insomnia disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to in-service injury.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for shoulder and ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Specifically, new VA examinations are required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for PFB. Service connection is denied for left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, and bilateral leg cramps due to lack of evidence of diagnosed conditions. The claim for an initial compensable rating for PFB remains pending.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and granted initial ratings for various conditions, including left shoulder DJD, left knee DJD, right knee DJD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right ankle DJD, and hiatal hernia with GERD. The claim of service connection for a left elbow disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder condition, including rotator cuff tendonitis and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or related to an in-service injury. The preponderance of the evidence supported this conclusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff condition is related to service, specifically his in-service shoulder pain and a 2004 injury while stationed in Iraq. The examiner must address these issues and provide an opinion on whether the current condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder impingement.

The claims for service connection for glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis (claimed as left shoulder disability) and right shoulder impingement syndrome with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are denied. The claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee are granted.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder dislocation and DJD of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service. Service connection for bilateral knee disability was also denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis.