Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not service-connected due to inadequate medical evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and clarification of whether his left shoulder disability aggravates his right shoulder disability.

The claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear, is reopened. The claims for service connection of left shoulder disability and diabetes mellitus II are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left shoulder disability and service connection for cervical spine disability as secondary to the left shoulder disability are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening of his conditions. He will need to undergo VA examinations, and all outstanding records must be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids. The appeals for headaches, cell-mediated immunity, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral elbow disability, keratosis pilaris on back of arms (also claimed as skin condition), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal disability other than GERD, bilateral knee disability, and Gulf War Illness/Syndrome have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for a left shoulder injury is granted. The Board also remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that the symptoms experienced during and after service are consistent with this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for transient ischemic attacks and a bilateral shoulder condition are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and a left shoulder disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, render him unemployable and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tear, acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease with partial tear, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right shoulder, right arm, and neck disabilities. The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder but it remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from October 14, 2009 to June 26, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection due to lack of any justiciable case or controversy. The Veteran was granted SMC based on his need for regular aid and attendance due to TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all theories of entitlement. The lumbar spine condition is also remanded for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left eye disabilities, type II diabetes mellitus, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right arm arthritis, and left arm arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities were not present in service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not present in service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran has not had any right or left arm or leg disabilities, aside from the arthritis affecting his shoulders and knees, during the period of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and depressive disorder have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, granting his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has remanded the case to determine if an extra-schedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for a separate initial compensable rating for ischemic changes of the brain, service connection for right knee disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right wrist DJD and CTS disabilities, and headache disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.,VA examinations are needed in order to address the Veteran's assertions regarding his in-service falls and subsequent falls after separation.