Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, as they are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The case must be returned to the examiner for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations due to incomplete evaluations and the need for clarification of functional limitations.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is denied as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not undergo permanent increase in severity by her military service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence to support this presumption.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is remanded, requiring further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,Service connection for skin disability (chilblains) as secondary to bilateral foot condition is also remanded, requiring an opinion on the relationship between the two conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating, finding that the RO properly applied the bilateral factor to his service-connected disabilities of the left and right upper extremities. The calculated combined rating of 70 percent effective February 9, 1989 was accurate.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disability, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis due to trauma with joint pain, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his left shoulder, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The current severity of these conditions will be assessed in order to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims of a compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for hyperlipidemia, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and left hip disabilities but denied service connection for right hand and left hand disabilities. The claims for these conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any current left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder and brain concussion disabilities are not presumed, but rather decided on their merits. His bilateral hearing loss and right knee disabilities need further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring an addendum opinion from the February 2016 examiner regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and as a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, including cervical spine disability with pain radiating to the shoulders. The VA examiner found no evidence of chronicity from onset in the 1950s to present and concluded that current diagnosed arthritis was less likely related to active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous remands. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral hip disability, increased evaluations for his lumbar spine, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back condition, respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, migraines, left knee condition, right shoulder bursitis, and memory loss. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to the Veteran's service aboard USS Forrestal on July 29, 1967. The VA will obtain medical records and conduct examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his active service.