Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he has an associate degree and prior work experience. The Board finds that the Veteran is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation, and that any current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder and wrist conditions, maxillary sinus fracture with hypersensitivity, and PTSD. The remand requests additional medical opinions on nerve damage from a maxillary sinus fracture and progression of shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence submitted and need further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral eye disorder, neck disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including dyshidrosis, hypothyroidism, shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a jaw fracture is granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder condition and thoracic spine disorder due to insufficient analysis regarding their secondary relationship to a service-connected cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left shoulder and low back conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right shoulder arthritis, left elbow strain, and IBS have been granted. The issue of a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder has been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a positive purified protein derivative test, left foot compartment syndrome, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis and right wrist tendonitis have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, heart disease, residuals of a head injury other than headaches, right and left CTS due to failure to provide VA medical opinions and examinations as requested in prior remands. The rating issues related to temporary total ratings for bilateral CTS are also remanded as they are dependent on the outcome of these service connection issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations due to inadequate previous evaluations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain are now before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The VA also denied increased ratings for various conditions, including a right brachial plexus injury and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the November 2017 VA examination is inadequate due to the Veteran's reported pain and remanded for further evaluation of his shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for shin splints, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis with a right rotator cuff tear. The issues of service connection for left hand, right hand, and left foot disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a lower back injury, a right hip injury, and a right shoulder injury. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for epididymitis, service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, and service connection for a skin disability (eczema) have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.