Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the claims for multiple joint pains, right shoulder disability, back disability, right ankle disability, blindness (including light perception only), migraine headaches associated with TBI, and a disability of the tongue have all been granted. The effective date is not specified as it is prior to March 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding development and additional evidence being needed.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claims for higher ratings and TDIU. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes adhesive capsulitis and degenerative osteoarthritis, has been rated at 20 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, lower back condition, right shin splint, left shin splint, and right ankle condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder strain, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for Barrett’s esophagus due to lack of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic, clinically diagnosed right knee or right shoulder disability during the appeal period. The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records, private records, and an addendum opinion regarding his shoulder disabilities and lung conditions.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a left elbow contusion, gastroenteritis, acid reflux, and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection is being reopened for residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain, right knee pain, right shoulder pain, wrist pain, left hip pain, and right hip pain have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for service connection for left elbow disorder is reopened.,Service connection for lumbosacral arthritis, left knee arthralgia, left shoulder osteoarthritis, foot (toe) osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus II, and hearing loss in the left ear have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right shoulder, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete or speculative medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided an opportunity to identify all outstanding private treatment records and to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity of his left shoulder strain and low back strain with disc herniation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not provided. The claim for atrial fibrillation secondary to PTSD is granted, but the rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board is remanding the case to clarify whether records of a focused review conducted by VA Greater LA Healthcare System exist and will not be released or have been destroyed, as per prior directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left and right shoulder disabilities, and thoracolumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome with bursitis and history of strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion beyond what was documented in the September 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right upper extremity disabilities.