Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition has been granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss claim was also granted.,Service connection for left hip, left knee injury, and right knee injury claims were denied.

The Veteran's TMJ with disc displacement of the left side of the jaw was rated at 10 percent, and denied an increased rating.,Service connection for a vascular nerve injury of the left hand, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and extremities, low back disability, GERD, right hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, sleep disorder, bilateral shin disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were all denied.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as well as GERD. The VA examinations were not conducted in accordance with the May 2018 Board remand directives.

The Veteran's left (minor) shoulder disability with limitation of motion is granted at a 40% evaluation as of November 5, 2014. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date and the request for an earlier effective date are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for service-connected left and right shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left shoulder disability, including any flare-ups and their impact on range of motion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran’s claim has been received, as it indicates that the Veteran currently has symptomatology related to a left ankle condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service injury or disease.