Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for low back and right shoulder disabilities was received by VA on June 1, 2010. The award of service connection has been assigned effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from his chiropractor and private psychiatrist. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD, cervical spine strain, and left shoulder sprain are pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for a left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions, specifically hyperthyroidism and PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for heart disability, left shoulder disability, left upper radiculopathy (CTS), neck disability, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's representative also requested additional examination regarding his GERD.

The Board has denied claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and osteoarthritis of wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck disabilities. The reasons include lack of credible evidence of current disability within the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and migraines as the preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to medication prescribed by VA, as there are outstanding records and an addendum opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 2, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthropathy. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck condition due to inadequate findings in a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not related to her service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's VA treatment records from 1974 to the present need to be obtained in order to make a determination on whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted ratings of 10 percent, but no greater. The left shoulder disability is rated for musculoligamentous strain with DJD, while the right knee patellofemoral syndrome and musculoligamentous strain with DJD are rated for limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations to assess current severity of service-connected disabilities, and considering extraschedular considerations for some issues.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain, as well as a prior effective date for service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability was not found to be related to his military service. His left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional service records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, but the left shoulder condition has a 30% rating.