Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to the need for further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeals for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disability, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the presumptive period, and that the current conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of frostbite of both lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and thyroid cancer due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is not granted for left shoulder disability or right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his left shoulder condition is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her periods of active duty and training. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities arose during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for service connection, and has remanded the case for further action regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder impingement, right shoulder impingement, and right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder total joint arthroplasty due to lack of a VA examination addressing his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and eye disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

Service connection for a left shoulder condition is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran has been in receipt of the maximum rating assignable for limitation of extension (i.e., 10 percent) of the left hip. For the period from December 1, 2018 to February 13, 2019, the evidence shows the Veteran’s left and right hip flexion was limited to, at worst, 30 degrees.,For the period prior to December 1, 2018, and after February 13, 2019, the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion have not been met. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD has more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks; symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, or total social and occupational impairment are not demonstrated. A rating of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, lumbar spine, and right knee disorders are not related to service.,The Veteran's left foot disorder is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain her complete service personnel records and service treatment records, as well as military dependent treatment records from multiple military facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for bilateral hearing loss and thyroid condition. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and enthesopathy, bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and cognitive disability (including Alzheimer's disease) are all granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also eligible for an automobile and/or specially adapted equipment.