Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tear is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip condition, low back pain, and left shoulder joint pain. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,Hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran does not have diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.,Diabetes mellitus type II currently rated as 20 percent disabling; no increased rating is warranted based on the current evidence of record.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis post-arthroscopy has been increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.,Cervical spine arthritis has been increased to a 10 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for a right shoulder strain, finding that there was no evidence to support such a claim prior to August 21, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability and upper back disability due to inadequate previous VA opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are alleged to be related to her in-service motor vehicle accident in September 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral ankle and left shoulder disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's complaints of ankle pain since service are noted, but the current status of his ankle disabilities is unclear.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for splenectomy and sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Board found no current diagnosis of or treatment for the claimed conditions.

The Board has vacated the August 2017 decision and remanded both issues of a rating for right shoulder bursitis and entitlement to TDIU. The case is now being remanded for further action, including obtaining a new VA medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, and neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any medical providers who have treated him.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and left shoulder tendinopathy. The Board found no evidence of disease or injury in service that would support these claims.

Service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound (GSW), left shoulder, to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. Service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound (GSW), rib disorder and spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthralgia of the left shoulder is reopened, and his appeal to have a left shoulder disability service connected is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic left shoulder strain (limited motion) and chronic left shoulder strain (impairment of humerus) have been denied as the evidence does not show that his disability warranted a rating higher than 20 percent or 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection related to psoriatic arthritis and associated conditions have been denied. The RO awarded separate evaluations for limitation of motion of the right hand, left hand, and left wrist as secondary to service-connected psoriasis with various disability ratings starting from March 6, 2013. The Veteran's claims were subsequently adjusted to reflect unfavorable ankylosis of digits in his hands and favorable ankylosis of his left wrist effective October 24, 2012.