Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck, right shoulder, and right knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder injury, back condition, bilateral knee injury, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (claimed as prostate problem).,There is no evidence of any in-service disease, injury, or event that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to address the ameliorative effect of medication. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his range of motion does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in January 2013 and June 2014. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's post-operative right shoulder capsulorrhaphy with arthrosis and arthritis is rated 20 percent, while his chronic hepatitis is evaluated based on the number of incapacitating episodes. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating of left leg disability, service connection for back, shoulder, and foot disabilities, as well as hemorrhoids, all secondary to service-connected left leg disability. Additional development is needed including new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on March 20, 2016 because the Veteran's condition was not considered an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a nervous condition due to new medical evidence, but denied reopening of claims for right shoulder pain and problems, lower back pain and problems, hypertension, left shoulder disability, and stomach disability.,The issues of entitlement to effective dates prior to December 1, 2014 for bilateral hearing loss and scar disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar due to cranium cyst removal is granted. The claims for telangiectasia matting on the nasal bridge, right shoulder pain and impingement, cervical radiculopathy with numbness of left upper extremity, and cervical radiculopathy with numbness of right upper extremity are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA joints/muscle examination. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and entitlement to TDIU prior to October 19, 2016, are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all the listed issues, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, were denied. His claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted with a 40 percent rating effective September 12, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for limitation of motion and recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and requests for a new evaluation of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, but his left shoulder and right wrist conditions are denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right upper quadrant pain and tinea pedis is remanded.