Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) should be remanded for further development.

The issues of service connection for neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, hypertension, and sleep apnea disorders have been dismissed.,The issues of initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, left ankle strain, and right ankle tenosynovitis have been dismissed.,The issue of a rating in excess of 60 percent for urinary incontinence associated with neurogenic bladder and fistula of the bladder or urethra has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records, including from Dr. Torres at the Pocatello VA outpatient clinic and any Okinawa, Japan sources. They are also required to schedule new VA examinations of the Veteran’s left shoulder disability and associated psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders pre-existed service and were aggravated by military service. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his bilateral hand disability, left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tear with mild bursitis, left knee status post arthroscopic repair lateral meniscus tear, and degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, sleep apnea, headaches, ankle disorders, hip disorders, shoulder disorders, neck disorder, grand mal seizure, and right knee disorder have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. A new examination and opinion are needed based on full review of the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate prior examination and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his right shoulder disability is related to service, including an in-service accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence of a current disability, as well as an inadequate audiometric test. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide additional records.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death prevented the appellant from being substituted as claimant, and thus his appeal for substitution was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for hernia condition, thoracolumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The remand includes obtaining additional VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for scoliosis, and requesting an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between current psychiatric disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his right shoulder and right knee disabilities, including any muscle injuries and neurological impairment. The Veteran also believes that his service-connected right shoulder and right knee disabilities have worsened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed left knee, left shoulder, bilateral shin splints, sleep apnea, and acid reflux disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative changes in the right shoulder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to general wear and tear due to lifestyle, occupation, and age.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck and upper back disability, as well as her bilateral shoulder disability. The claims are also remanded for a determination on whether these disabilities are secondary to service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psoriatic arthritis and kidney disorder are remanded due to the AOJ failing to notify him of their findings regarding his treatment records from 'Arthritis Associates' in Hixson, Tennessee. The Veteran also has secondary theories of entitlement for these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a kidney disorder is remanded as he used Naproxen extensively to treat his service-connected orthopedic disorders and over time, the Naproxen damaged his kidneys.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current disability ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myalgias and arthralgias of the neck, shoulders, and arms, and a right knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Specifically, the issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the RO for further development.