Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The Veteran's current symptoms have been found to be at least as likely as not caused by her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service.,Service connection was also denied for a right ankle disorder. The Board found no in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including reopening of the right shoulder claim and service connection for right elbow and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including subacromial impingement, biceps tendinitis, and bursitis, is not service-connected. The decision is remanded for further development to determine if these conditions were incurred during active service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an incomplete record from Reynolds ACH for the period of 2003-2008, and the need to notify the Veteran and his representative if any requested records are unavailable.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is granted as service-connected. Other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right hand disability have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims, but the issues of entitlement to service connection remain remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow condition is found to be the proximate cause of his painful right wrist motion. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical evaluation regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to VA treatment in July and August 2015.

The Board denied service connection for lower/middle back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder disability were granted service connection effective May 13, 2011. However, the effective date for PTSD was denied as it was not earlier than May 13, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from September 2011 to March 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, finding that further examination is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or are caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and retrolisthesis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, a right shoulder disorder, a chronic kidney disorder, and a back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right shoulder rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, finding that no earlier effective date is warranted as the claim was submitted after April 22, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection was denied for right upper extremity numbness and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).