Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's left shoulder, low back disability, headaches, acne, and alopecia are all being reviewed for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder, right hand, and left ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to incomplete development of his back, knee, and radiculopathy disabilities. The pes planus claim is also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for thoracic strain and PTSD with TBI residuals, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder anterior superior labral tear. The Veteran was also remanded for a VA examination to assess his left clavicle fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right shoulder disability and thus, the appeal is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied as his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 20% or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for testicular cancer is also granted based on presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. The remaining claims are denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for his right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds no current disability for other claimed conditions.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected gall bladder removal or its residuals. The VA examiner found no symptoms associated with his gall bladder removal.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected right knee disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected left knee disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current lumbar spine disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for back, neck, and left ankle conditions. The claims are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of examination schedules.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and a need to update the rating codesheet. The Veteran's disability is currently rated under Diagnostic Codes 5201-5303, but should be re-rated using Diagnostic Code 5302.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disorder, shoulder disorder, and skin disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The Veteran will need further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying his service history and obtaining medical records. The claims are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, including bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and dental disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to discuss a VA treatment note that found the Veteran's shoulder strength was limited by pain. The Court ruled that this decision did not enable the Veteran to understand the precise basis for the denial and thus requires further action.

The Board dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder and left knee scars because the Veteran did not file a substantive appeal after receiving an SOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and bilateral shoulder disorders, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current conditions.