Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities are insufficient to adjudicate the claims on appeal. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with disc disease and traumatic arthritis, as well as claims for service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Veteran was also denied a temporary total evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet. The issues of service connection for bilateral hand disability and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left arm, shoulder, and neck disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The case is being remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's vaginal and breast cysts.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, spine, and ankle issues, as well as gastrointestinal and migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work and his medical conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD has not been rated higher than non-compensable.,Claims for service connection of chronic pain syndrome, depression, and stomach condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection based on his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and for pharyngitis as a result of exposure to mustard gas due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that the current evidence does not adequately reflect its severity. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine or neck disability as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes a prosthetic replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not show severe painful motion or weakness in the joint.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various joint and back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the right shoulder disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to May 17, 2018 or after that date. The Veteran's request for TDIU prior to May 17, 2018 was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, have been granted. The remaining issues are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition was denied, and his claim to reopen the asthma claim was granted. The right hand disability secondary to the shoulder condition is not service connected.,Service connection for asthma has been reopened due to new evidence, but it remains denied as there is no link between the current diagnosis and service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's ED was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to his service-connected condition.,Service connection for right wrist disability is also remanded as the claimant asserts that it is secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC higher than (m) plus (k) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under section 1114(o). The Veteran has more than one disability rated at 100 percent, but does not have two or more separate and distinct disabilities that would qualify him for SMC rates listed in subsections (l) through (n).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disorder, both of which were previously denied. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for right ankle and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide identification of sources for any private treatment records, and new VA examinations are needed.