Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and a bilateral knee condition, both of which are considered direct service connections based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for psychiatric disorders, knee disabilities, wrist disability, shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The RO is directed to issue a Statement of the Case on the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, headache disability, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability. The decision found no current evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,While reopening was granted for both right shoulder and left shoulder conditions, the Board found no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's broken/dislocated collarbone and painful sternoclavicular joint, finding that these conditions were aggravated by his military service. However, it denied service connection for his right shoulder disability and chest pain (claimed as due to a chest injury) during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the right shoulder, ankle, and foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the January 2015 rating decision did not become final due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are remanded as additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of secondary service connection for left hip, bilateral shoulder, right knee, and left elbow disabilities as they are not related to his active duty service. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or aggravation that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing records and additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and sinus conditions due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to potential increased symptomatology since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating may be warranted based on his testimony and post-service treatment records indicating worsening of his condition. The case is being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the Veteran's left shoulder condition and residuals of a great right toe fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities is remanded as there are issues with obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been reopened, and the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and hernias claims have been reopened. The service connection for hernias is denied, while hypertension and diabetes mellitus are also denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and hernias claims have been reopened. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded, service connection for shingles is remanded, a disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is remanded, and an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for tinea versicolor with ingrown toenail (claimed as skin rash and foot condition) is also remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and OSA claims are remanded. The claim for service connection for shingles is also remanded.,A disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is remanded, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinea versicolor with ingrown toenail (claimed as skin rash and foot condition) is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and ankle disabilities, right knee disability, left hand disability, and right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s hypertension to service, and determined that he could perform sedentary employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating increases, and temporary total evaluations due to additional evidence being associated with the file.