Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, as well as a compensable rating for an umbilical hernia. The Veteran's VA records will be reviewed, and he will undergo examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his shoulder conditions and hernia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development and lack of a nexus opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left shoulder, back, right knee, or left knee disorders. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and tinea versicolor are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection for left groin nerve damage (claimed as left inguinal hernia repair) is granted. The Veteran has sensory impairment, tenderness, and pain as residuals of his left inguinal hernia surgery.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, erectile dysfunction, chronic pain disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, diverticulitis with hiatal hernia and GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and hypothyroidism are all remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Barrett's esophagus is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had onset within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder, rotator cuff tear disability is being remanded for an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The appeals concerning the reopening of service connection for various hip and knee disabilities, as well as secondary service connection for shoulder and elbow conditions, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cyclothymic disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The claims for left leg, right leg, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are denied due to lack of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service treatment records have been submitted, necessitating a de novo review of the claims for service connection. A VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed disabilities are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, neck, and bilateral foot disabilities did not occur or are not related to service.,For his left knee disability, there is no evidence of a current disability in service records.

The Veteran's bladder cancer residuals, left shoulder disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder are not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his delayed diagnosis of bladder cancer. Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, but has remanded cases involving his left shoulder and bilateral elbows, wrists, and hands due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are remanded due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established links to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding an old scapular fracture found on an August 2008 X-ray, and further medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff impingement syndrome, which was previously rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent effective September 2009, is not entitled to a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left shoulder tendonitis, and right shoulder tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and total disability based on individual unemployability have been dismissed.,Claims for increased ratings for cervical strain prior to February 7, 2017 were denied. Claims for increased ratings for cervical strain from February 7, 2017 remain pending.