Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for various lower extremity conditions, including shin splints, ankle disabilities, hip disability, foot disabilities, wrist disability, shoulder disability, and knee disability. The decision is mixed as some issues have been granted while others are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service, considering his credible testimony about when he became aware of VA treatment options.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lower back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to missing records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for right shoulder tendonitis from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored a 20 percent rating. The issues regarding entitlement to increased ratings for right shoulder tendonitis and muscle spasms of the back are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues including the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, with a focus on obtaining additional medical opinions to address potential secondary service connections and the nature of his kidney disability. The Veteran is also required to provide VA examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the presence or causation of these conditions during military service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Venice Regional Bayfront Health on October 26, 2015 are denied as there was no emergency condition requiring immediate treatment and VA facilities were available for his care.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied because the evidence did not show that her condition was incurred in service and due to willful misconduct.,Service connection for right shoulder, right elbow, and neck disabilities were also denied as there is no objective medical link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent effective October 15, 2016. His right shoulder disability has been granted a 40 percent rating since May 22, 2013, and a 30 percent rating from May 22, 2013 to May 25, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, hypertrophic degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (L3-L4), and left thigh condition to obtain additional medical opinions and service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no legal basis for the assigned schedular evaluations, effective dates, or determinations regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left shoulder strain, AC osteoarthritis, and status post Bankart repair is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected left knee strain and osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate limitation of flexion to 15 degrees.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed below.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for the left shoulder disability due to a bar on benefits based on the Veteran's other than honorable discharge. The back and neck disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability, finding no medical link between his active service and current condition.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for right ankle and left ankle disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.