Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for increased evaluations can be adjudicated. The Veteran will need to provide information about any treatment providers and outstanding VA records, and a new VA examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disorders have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tension headaches, low back condition, chronic right shoulder condition, bilateral big toe condition, and right ankle disability are all granted. The claim for asthma is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and tinnitus are related to service, but more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including bilateral foot, shin splint, left-hand, ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for initial compensable ratings for keloid scarring of the right shoulder and anemia with macrocytosis, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his service-connected left shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals of PFB, lung scars, right shoulder disorder, and left eye cataract. The appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder conditions, as well as his right wrist tendonitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur, were all granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the period from August 1, 2015 to January 19, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post left shoulder subluxation, finding that the evidence did not reach equipoise as to whether such a higher rating was warranted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, right arm, and right hand disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began in service or were related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient examination reports, lack of medical treatment records, and need for additional development.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 13, 2011 for the grant of service connection for bilateral shoulder, back, bilateral knee, tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's back condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral cataracts, peripheral vascular disease (left and right lower extremities), coronary artery disease post-CABG, left below-the-knee amputation, status post right 4th and 5th toe amputations with foot ulcers, recurring infections, psychiatric disorder, bleeding ulcers, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent prior to November 19, 2017 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 31, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating from October 31, 2016 to November 19, 2017. A higher rating thereafter is denied.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 3, 2012 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder as new and material evidence was not submitted.