Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability, chronic fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a right shoulder disability, and bilateral hip disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will conduct a Gulf War examination to assess whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards during his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. An addendum opinion is also needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 28, 2015. The rating remains denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities have been found to be sufficiently severe for a TDIU, but the appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and possible worsening of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left hand disorder and PTSD, as well as an increased rating for his impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The appeal was also remanded for further action on the TBI residuals claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, low back, and left pelvic arthritis. The remand requires VA examinations to explore etiology and exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 20, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for left ankle disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's major depression is granted as service connected. The issues of a higher rating for cervical strain and left trapezius strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for passive-aggressive personality disorder, Reiter’s syndrome, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and chronic headaches have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for Reiter’s syndrome was denied because there is no clinical diagnosis of the condition in the Veteran's service records or post-service medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and right shoulder tendonitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The case is now remanded for further development on the right shoulder tendonitis claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right shoulder disabilities are related to injuries sustained during inactive duty training in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral shoulder disability, residuals of frostbite to both hands, and vertigo. The claims are being remanded.

The claim for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left shoulder surgery is reopened, and the appeal is granted in part. The claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations of his left shoulder, shin splints of the left lower extremity (LLE), and tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess whether all service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and shoulder conditions, neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and low back pain, warrant the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left hand, right hand, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right elbow conditions as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it developed from an in-service motor vehicle accident. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right shoulder surgery due to VA treatment remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and diabetes mellitus type II are granted service connection, but his hypertension evaluation is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine are granted service connection based on chronicity in service with continuous symptoms since separation.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted service connection based on exposure to loud noise during service with continuous symptoms since separation.