Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is not etiologically related to service or secondary to his right shoulder condition.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 60 percent, effective October 1, 2007. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis is also being remanded for a new VA examination.,For the increased rating claim for patellar tendonitis of the right knee, additional VA medical records are needed, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and bilateral shoulder disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis with instability is granted as service connected because the symptoms have been present since his first period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to February 11, 2014, and for a higher evaluation for left shoulder strain have been dismissed.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation status post left arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, specifically the 1970 injury. The Veteran needs updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion addressing direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right elbow/arm, and neck disabilities due to an error in relying on a VA examiner’s opinions based on an inaccurate factual premise. The AOJ is required to obtain updated VA treatment records and request private treatment records from non-VA providers. A VA examination must be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left upper extremity nerve disorder, neck disorder, back disorder, left hip disorder, and left shoulder and arm disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for the neck disorder, left arm/elbow disorder, and left upper extremity nerve disorder (cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy). The remaining issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected back condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left ankle, left shoulder, and right knee is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to in-service laundry duty causing current lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also being reviewed as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left arm/shoulder disability, including its relationship to service-connected back strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery and post-operative recovery have severely limited his ability to return to work as a chef, resulting in an extension of the temporary total disability rating through October 25, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the propriety of a combined evaluation of 90 percent assigned as of October 1, 2010. The RO applied the Combined Ratings Table correctly and determined that the Veteran’s combined rating was 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received. The issues of low back, bilateral knees, right ear hearing loss, abdominal hernia, shoulder disabilities, heart murmur, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder as secondary to his service-connected right anterior deltoid resection due to negative medical opinions and lack of a positive nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.