Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for left shoulder conditions was proper due to a prior dishonorable discharge, and thus restoration is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for left knee disability, lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis, and left shoulder osteoarthritis. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for brain disease due to trauma, PTSD, major depressive disorder, shoulder pain, bilateral knee condition, emphysema with asthma, and sleep apnea have been remanded by the Board.,The appeals are currently pending before the Board.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under applicable criteria.,The Veteran’s left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher as per the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's headaches and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Board has also determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 30% rating for his perineal laceration with colostomy, but not higher.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disability, low back disability, and knee disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence in several areas, including PTSD severity since January 2010, TDIU prior to February 26, 2013, and SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left shoulder disability and service connection claim. His TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder, elbow, and radiculopathy disorders. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board has found that remand is required to obtain outstanding records and to afford the Veteran new VA examinations.,The Veteran's migraines have been granted service connection with a 0 percent rating effective May 1, 2018. The Board has also found that remand is required for issuance of a SOC regarding an earlier effective date for migraines.

The Veteran's cervical osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and lack of discussion of the Veteran's lay testimony in the provided opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for neck disability (also claimed as upper back condition). The claims for left shoulder and skin disabilities have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, chest pain, otitis media and externa, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, low back mechanical low back syndrome, and bilateral pes planus. The right eye condition is remanded for further examination.,Service connection for a left eye disability was denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity (left foot), asthma, and right shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current disability and no presumption or secondary theory was applicable.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature, etiology, and progression of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The case will be remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder and lower back conditions, and remanded the claims for gout of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims are now pending again with VA.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and memory loss have been dismissed. The appeal for residuals of TBI has been granted.