Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine with tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right shoulder, cervical stenosis with spondylotic myelopathy, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to her service-connected hypertension, and instead more likely due to obesity. The other conditions listed are remanded for further review.,The Veteran’s claims for left shoulder disability, low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), right hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as a right shoulder disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a left foot disability (plantar fasciitis), due to new evidence being added to the file. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine the etiology of his bilateral shoulder disabilities and left foot disability.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted service connection, while her right shoulder condition is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Veteran's eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance is granted due to his service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 6, 2008 due to the evidence not showing unemployability based on one service-connected disability. The Veteran was found to be substantially employed at that time.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for immersion foot/trench foot, cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet, a chest disorder, and inflamed joints of the elbows and shoulders due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, and his left shoulder injury with bursitis and impingement syndrome is remanded for further development. The issue of service connection for the left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his in-service shoulder pain and his current condition.