Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including some that have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are related to service connection for various conditions and rating of disabilities such as right foot fracture residuals, TBI with headaches, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left wrist disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied as the evidence does not establish a link between his current condition and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for eczema, right shoulder DJD, and thoracolumbar spine DJD and DDD require additional examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The remanded cases include a need for an updated VA examination to assess the extent of the Veteran's eczema, right shoulder disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the left ankle disability has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder conditions, including torn bicep of the right arm, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial rating requests for a higher disability rating were denied. The left shoulder, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are rated at the minimum of 10 percent each since February 22, 2016. Service connection was denied for right hip disorder, bilateral tendonitis, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The Veteran is also denied a compensable disability rating for his left shoulder and back scars.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and related residuals are being remanded for further examination to assess the severity of his symptoms. His bilateral shoulder disability is also being remanded, with a request for an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by treatment for his service-connected lymphoma.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on limited motion of the arm to 25 degrees from side.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to errors in previous decisions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 18, 2014. The initial compensable disability ratings for his scar and TBI are granted. His right shoulder and left shoulder degenerative changes are each rated as non-compensable. His right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain are both remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral flatfoot disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral shin disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU prior to August 14, 2007 due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and missing records, particularly those from the period before surgery. The Veteran's disability rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond July 1, 2012 due to lack of evidence showing severe postoperative residuals. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and VR&E information.

The claims for service connection of right shoulder disorder, lung nodules including due to radiation exposure, and left collar bone disorder have been denied. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by the medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.