Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed all the issues of service connection raised by the Veteran, as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including his service connection claim and its etiology. The VA will need to obtain additional records and conduct a medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The claims for tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus type 2, respiratory issues, left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, postoperative residuals of left shoulder dislocation, hiatal hernia with history of esophagitis and esophageal polyp were all denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim, nor is it related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for an earlier effective date for left shoulder degenerative joint disease.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating prior to March 18, 2016, and from May 1, 2016, for his service-connected left foot strain is remanded.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his service-connected left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness) secondary to his service-connected right and left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness) secondary to his service-connected right and left hamstring tendonitis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tendonitis/bursitis of the left shoulder was dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma and bronchitis), and GERD were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran must provide VA with private healthcare provider records and VA treatment records after March 2016. A new VA spine and shoulder examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, with no higher rating warranted due to the lack of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. Service connection for a cervical condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, infectious disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches as secondary to infectious disease or bipolar disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses will be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a right shoulder examiner.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a right-hand surgery was denied because the evidence did not show that VA care caused his additional disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding whether his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, result in permanent total impairment. Additional medical records are also needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder, right and left knee strains, or right ankle strain. However, separate 10 percent ratings are granted for instability of both knees.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The appeal regarding the right foot disability is still pending.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by him and his attorney.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his drop foot, bilateral shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities. The Board also notes that the Veteran has claimed exposure to Agent Orange but does not specify which conditions are related.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his fibromyalgia and shoulder conditions during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as left shoulder dislocation residuals, was incurred during his active service and is related to it. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to unresolved issues regarding his exposure to toxic chemicals during service and verification of his reserve service.