Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of adequate contemporaneous medical examinations. The Board finds that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current state of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded three claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine and shoulder acromioclavicular joint disabilities is denied. The rating for the cervical spine disability remains at 30 percent, effective January 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, left shoulder, and bilateral foot disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo additional medical evaluations to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically whether it is related to service or any other condition.

The Board has granted service connection for scars, right knee injuries, and right shoulder injuries. Service connection for vasectomy residuals is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service, including during basic training when he was forcibly bumped from behind.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and evaluations in excess of 20 percent for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, but the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has remanded this issue due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran’s statements and all diagnosed right shoulder disabilities. The case is now being remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's low back condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the claim of service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax ruptured emphysema bleb, resolved. The claim of service connection for left shoulder disability was granted.

The Veteran's flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches), are found to be related to his service. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.,Service connection is granted for flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left leg disability (to include as secondary to a low back disability), and right arm/shoulder disability due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically hypertension. The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were also not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral flat feet due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disorder, dizziness, and tension headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right arm disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 21, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that current disabilities were related to service.