Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder adhesive capsulitis, finding that the conditions are secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection is denied for a thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and its secondary disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examination, and in-service evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing portions of the Veteran's claims file and unclear information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents. The location of the Veteran’s ship while stationed is also needed, as are addendum opinions on the relationship between the Veteran's injuries and his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), back condition, and right shoulder disability has been reopened. The heart condition claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder tendonitis due to overuse injury from working in the mailroom. The increased rating claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent from February 25, 2015 to December 19, 2017 and at 50 percent effective December 20, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the evaluation of degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional evaluations of the Veteran's right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded two issues regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left shoulders, as it requires additional medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete examinations, lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding preexisting conditions, and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral gynecomastia, a chest scar related to bilateral gynecomastia, a right shoulder disability, heart disability, hypertension, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and requires a new examination for the Veteran's shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressed mood is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 21, 2016. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, foot, sinusitis, and rhinitis conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) before July 31, 2014 was dismissed due to the procedural error of granting a TDIU while the issue was in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, as well as the claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder conditions are being reviewed again due to additional evidence submitted by him.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the October 2015 SSOC, and he should file a separate claim for compensation related to medical care provided in 2015.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was previously rated at 20 percent, but he claims it has worsened and warrants a higher rating. The Board is remanding the case for further examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder degenerative joint diseases are all found to have onset during active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.