Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations in various service-connected disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further review and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his hip and shoulder disabilities, as well as a need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder DJD, status post fracture of left clavicle, effective from July 23, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to active service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and new evidence. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but his GIST does not meet the definition of a soft tissue sarcoma.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further review is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for varicose veins due to service-connected disease or injury was also denied because there were no records linking the condition to the Veteran's service-connected heart disease.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder rating is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, bilateral shoulder, left elbow, and left foot disabilities due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and readjudication due to procedural errors, lack of proper examinations, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left ankle disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for an irregular heartbeat, right shoulder disorder, and tonsil disorder. The claims for right shoulder disorder and tonsil disorder were not reopened.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain with partial labral tear are granted service connection as they were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for OSA is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset. Service connection for celiac disease and psoriasis is also remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's attorney prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right knee chondromalacia with tibial stress injury, left shoulder strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, left great toe strain, and right great toe strain. The reasons include the need for updated VA outpatient treatment records and more contemporaneous examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, hips, and knees as there was no chronic in-service or post-service diagnosis. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for migraine headaches as there was no evidence linking them to service.