Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including painful aching joints of the entire body and osteoarthritis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from VA, SSA, and private providers, and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, but he is entitled to TDIU benefits effective November 22, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder disability was dismissed because the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder recurrent dislocations and chronic cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service car accident. The issue of an increased rating for gastric ulcer status post vagotomy is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability may have started in service or within one year of separation, and they need more information to make a decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and residuals from bilateral upper extremity cold injury. The case will be remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder condition and alcohol dependence may be related to his service-connected cervical spine condition, but more evidence is needed to determine this.

The Board has vacated and remanded the claims for increased ratings of service-connected left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in 2014.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's neck disability, right shoulder disability, and sciatica of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to March 25, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.,Since March 25, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 40 percent.,The initial increased rating of 20 percent prior to March 25, 2010, for left shoulder disability was granted.,Since March 25, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 30 percent.,The initial increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD throughout the appeal period was granted.,The initial increased rating of 50 percent for tension headaches was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU, which satisfies his appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim. However, further examination is needed as the current VA examinations do not provide sufficient information regarding the etiology of the right shoulder disorder or its relationship to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders due to failure to obtain necessary examinations. The issues of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, nonservice-connected pension benefits, and service connection for degenerative bone disease are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and more likely due to post-service work as a mechanic.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right wrist and bilateral knee conditions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for her claimed left wrist, shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee, or right knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis and high cholesterol as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.