Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the Veteran's correct claims number, request his service treatment records from NPRC and other appropriate entities, and re-adjudicate the claims. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has other service-connected disabilities that meet the threshold for a TDIU. The appeal is granted as to both issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and sinus disorders. The claims are now remanded to obtain VA examinations for each of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for insomnia, right knee condition, and bilateral shoulder pain is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a right foot condition is denied.

The Board dismissed appeals for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board granted reopening of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, labral tear, and shoulder strain. Service connection was also granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, migraine headache disability, herpes disability, sleep disorder, athlete’s foot, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back strain disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints have been denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for his right and left eye disabilities due to incomplete information.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals concerning the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the back, as well as right shoulder impingement syndrome and glenohumeral joint instability. Service connection was denied for a stomach disorder and Bartholin's cyst.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed low back, neck, bilateral hip, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for left shoulder arthritis is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine a proper disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, left shoulder, left hip, and left thigh disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee joint pain, back joint pain, and bilateral hip joint pain due to a lack of evidence in the record. The RO did not consider the Veteran's combat status during service or his military occupation specialty as a cavalry scout.

The Board denied service connection for left-knee disorder, bilateral-shoulder disorder, and blood clots due to the absence of evidence showing a pre-service or in-service onset.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of any knee condition during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and lack of discussion regarding the Veteran's in-service right shoulder injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and bilateral inguinal hernias. The case is remanded for further action on his claims for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic kidney disease.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral shoulder disabilities or bilateral inguinal hernias due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The case will be returned for further evaluation, including obtaining updated records of VA and private treatment, and scheduling an orthopedist examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service symptoms.