Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, as his current diagnosed condition is not related to or caused by active service. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to an NOD filed in March 2019 and pending resolution.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, but denied his claims for a left shoulder disorder and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeal is granted as to these two issues.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right shoulder disability is granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, claimed as neck disability, is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for obesity is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in some cases, and requests additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting an updated VA 21-8940 from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 20% rating since November 19, 2007. The lower initial rating of 10% prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, including neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, hip pain, arm and hand pain, knee pain, foot pain, headaches, and skin symptoms. These conditions are presumed to be related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for tinnitus and increased evaluations for left shoulder disorders. Effective dates are denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability within the one-year period prior to October 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims for service connection were not addressed as they are moot.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, right shoulder pain, chronic headaches, head injury with facial reconstruction (now claimed as traumatic brain injury), and cervical strain were denied. The claim for CTS of the right wrist was granted.,The Veteran's requests to increase his PTSD rating and service connection for substance abuse secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) need further examination and opinion to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is now rated at 30 percent since October 11, 2016. Prior to this date, the rating was 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and an increased rating for his residual gunshot wound of the left shoulder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The right shoulder claim is also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The RO is directed to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records, as well as any missing service treatment records from the David Grant Medical Center and NPRC.,VA should request that the Veteran submit any outstanding evidence regarding his claimed in-service exposure to dead bodies and race riots at Travis Air Force Base. The RO should also request a Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault, and provide adequate notice as to such claim.,The RO should afford the Veteran new VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder), TBI, migraine headaches, TMJ, cervical spine disabilities, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, and right lower extremity disability. Adequate etiological opinions are needed.,The RO should afford the Veteran VA examinations for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a new VA examination for his right upper extremity disability (right shoulder and arm pain and numbness, right hand disability).,The RO should afford the Veteran VA examinations for his right lower extremity disability. Adequate etiological opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, as well as the claim for paranoid schizophrenia. The Veteran's request to reopen his claims is also remanded. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed for the right hand residuals of laceration.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right fourth (ring) finger condition, headache disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.