Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, lumbosacral strain (also claimed as thoracic spine condition), left knee condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and left ankle condition. The appeal is dismissed due to a lack of a valid substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of an August 2017 VA examination. A new examination is required that complies with the requirements set forth in Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied, and the claims for residuals of a left shoulder injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of increased ratings for cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and scars of the right and left shoulders are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, considering his reported fall in April 2010 and the medical literature on ankle instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and TBI due to lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded both cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder case involves a request to clarify the diagnosis and determine if it is related to an in-service facial injury. For his left shoulder disability, he needs an examination to assess the point at which pain occurs within the range of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition within one year after separation from service. The VA examinations did not find a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations to address the degree of functional loss during flare-ups with respect to the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, a ruptured left ear drum, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not service-connected as secondary to his right shoulder condition. The case is being sent back for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether the left shoulder disability was aggravated by the right shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his request for a higher rating for right ankle disability. The decision also noted that these issues were remanded previously.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and left shoulder condition due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 18, 2011 have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an eye disorder or left shoulder disorder related to his active service. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection and increased ratings due to failure of VA examinations scheduled in March 2019. The Veteran's address is unclear, so another attempt at scheduling the Veteran for new VA examinations should be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shoulder and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disorders and cervical spine and lower back disorders due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's service treatment records do not consistently document current disabilities, and no competent medical provider has diagnosed any of these conditions.