Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 16, 2015 for service connection of various hand, wrist, knee, and shoulder conditions. The decision found that the Veteran did not file his claims within one year of receiving a notification of denial in May 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of high blood pressure that had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right shoulder, right hip, left hip, right ankle, bilateral flatfoot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities due to incomplete records and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for capsulitis/tendinitis of the right shoulder and a headache disability, finding that these conditions had their onset in service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a total disability rating, and he is also receiving separate ratings for his left shoulder conditions. He was awarded SMC effective January 25, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating of his right shoulder degenerative arthritis prior to May 16, 2018 and after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability, neck disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence on the merits. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as dilated cardiomyopathy, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death and there was no evidence linking his heart condition to service or any other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, coronary artery disease, stomach disability (including a tumor on adrenal gland), and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had their onset in service or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a gynecological disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact on the decision regarding the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of rating higher than 20 percent and higher than 40 percent for a right shoulder disability prior to June 4, 2017 and since June 4, 2017 respectively.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the functional impact of the Veteran's left shoulder disability between September 30, 1993, and January 24, 2009.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bursitis of the left shoulder is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted with effective dates of April 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to new evidence received after the April 2017 SOC.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities (cervical radiculopathy) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration at Fort Le, Kansas. The AOJ should arrange for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI residuals, and right shoulder disorder.