Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis, with bursal surface fraying, cervical spine mass, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Left knee disability, right knee disability (including popliteal cyst), thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right hip fracture residuals, left foot hallux valgus, and primary insomnia are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right shoulder and finger conditions are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for bilateral hammer toe.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and to address his reports of flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and development regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented substantially gainful employment prior to July 5, 2012. The VA needs to obtain a retrospective opinion on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased level of SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records, including SSA disability records and National Guard treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder condition will need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his Marine Corps Reserve service and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private chiropractic treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for a higher rating for tinnitus, service connection for right foot gout, left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are all denied.,Service connection for right foot gout is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right foot gout.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service disease or injury.,Service connection for a right elbow disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The claims for bilateral shoulder tendinopathy, left foot condition (plantar fasciitis and bursitis), and right foot condition (navicular bone deformity, plantar fasciitis, and bursitis) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral foot corns and callosities, headaches, arthritis (both knees), and major depressive disorder are all granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff strain with osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of all issues in this appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right-hand disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right-hand disabilities has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, neck, hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, arm, leg, hand, sinusitis, heart, hypertension, stomach, cancer, foot, diabetes mellitus, brain injury, and seizure disability. The decision was based on the lack of competent evidence supporting these claims.,The Board also remanded service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, headache, earlier effective date for right ankle disability, and service connection for a disability of the hips.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder rotator cuff tears were denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with service. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for primary insomnia has been denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation and potential adjustment of the left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder and bilateral knee disorders has been granted. The issues of secondary service connection have also been remanded.,A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hallux rigidus (limitus), 1st MTP joints with degenerative changes, status post left hammertoe correction and 1st MTP joint fusion; residuals of a scar on the left foot, status post nerve removal; and scar of the right foot.