Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and sleep apnea. The AOJ is instructed to verify any additional periods of active duty service and obtain all available service treatment records, particularly those from the Veteran’s deployment in Afghanistan. An examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in the VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The examiner did not consider post-service treatment records, which suggest the Veteran sought medical attention for his shoulder injury multiple times after service.

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

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sciatica, right lower extremity and service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder and knee conditions, gout, vertigo, sleep apnea, and shrapnel wounds. The case is being remanded to obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, right shoulder condition, left hip disability, hypertension (HTN), skin condition, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as they are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The cases have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examination report regarding whether the surgery was caused by carelessness, negligence or similar instances of fault on part of VA. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being returned for further review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and other conditions are denied. The Board has remanded for further review of the remaining issues.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left shoulder condition and coronary artery disease are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and bilateral elbow condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for various initial disability ratings related to his service-connected conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but his claim for a higher rating of the left wrist disorder was granted with a 20% disability rating. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a separate 20 percent rating for left shoulder limitation of motion, finding that the regulatory provisions then extant at the time were not correctly applied in the April 1987 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for arthritis of both hips, both hands (to include thumbs and wrists), toes, bilateral shoulders, and lumbar spine, as well as gout.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for psychiatric disability, right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The AOJ is instructed to obtain SSA records, request VA examination reports, and adjudicate TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting a retrospective examination of his right shoulder condition prior to January 8, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation beginning June 27, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The claim of service connection for a left hip injury was dismissed as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim, and the right hip condition secondary to the left hip injury remains denied on secondary basis.,The claims for service connection for a right hip condition (secondary to the left hip) and right shoulder conditions were remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a right hip condition was not granted as it is considered a direct claim, and the right shoulder conditions remain pending.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition remains pending.