Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for a VA examination regarding his hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for Bell's Palsy, as well as for various knee conditions, arthritis, and sprain/strain injuries. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and leg disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The cases are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left testicle condition, left shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, chest pain, and PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to his reported in-service stressors while serving in Iraq.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective July 18, 2010.,TDIU was granted effective July 18, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper testing in the February 2017 VA examination, and new examinations are needed along with updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation and service connection has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, frostbite residuals of the hands, and right shoulder disability can be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and granted it, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise to support service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and low back disability has been dismissed. The claims for reopening of these previously denied conditions have been granted. However, the claim for increased rating of right shoulder arthritis remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and its residuals have been granted. The Veteran's lumbar disc disease, left shoulder disability, left leg patellofemoral syndrome, and leg length discrepancy / shortening of the left leg are also found to be related to his service-connected cerebrovascular accident.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as cervical strain, are granted service connection. The issues of gastrointestinal disability other than IBS and hemorrhoids (to include stomach disability, GERD, hernia, and residuals of colon cancer), headache disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded his claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability. The claim is now granted as the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his active military service.