Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome and bilateral ankle instability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's left shoulder disability rating is being remanded for a retrospective examination and another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 15, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, foot disorders, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas or a causal link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's right ankle disability and left shoulder arthritis and right shoulder arthritis are proximately due (subsequent manifestation) of his now service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and right shoulder condition due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his right and left shoulder, hand, and ankle conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his current joint changes and his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability including depression and insomnia, a left shoulder disability, and a bilateral toenail fungus condition.,Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are found to be at least as likely as not related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, low back, left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of abduction of the right hip; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension of the right hip; and an initial compensable disability rating for limitation of flexion of the right hip prior to February 13, 2017 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, back disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow condition is denied.,The effective date of the award of service connection for bilateral knee DJD is set at February 17, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for right and left knee DJD are denied.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 3, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for various service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, carpal tunnel syndromes, and respiratory issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The appeals will be reconsidered based on new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's service records.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and headache disability due to lack of STRs and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues include arthritis of the body, hip replacement, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, left and right pelvis/hip conditions (to include as due to a knee disability), and a right shoulder condition.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and examinations.,VA will attempt to obtain SSA records and additional private medical records.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, right shoulder SLAP tear is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, shoulder/arm, hand, hip, knee/leg, ankle, and foot disabilities. The issues are related to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.