Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability but denied service connection for a left knee disability. The right shoulder disability is related to an injury sustained during the Veteran's honorable period of active duty service, while the left knee disability is not related to his honorable period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease prior to August 7, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The claim for TDIU from March 2, 2017 to August 6, 2018 was also denied as the Veteran met the percentage thresholds but could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left carpal tunnel disabilities were dismissed due to the RO granting them in full. The right ear hearing loss disability, actinic keratosis (skin condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, GERD, and TBI have been denied. Service connection for hypertension has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit. His disabilities are rated at less than 100 percent combined, and he is able to leave his home without assistance.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, blurry vision, and blindness due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or causation. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and left shoulder AC joint separation was granted. The claims for right shoulder disability, right hand condition, and plantar fasciitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral foot disorder, cardiac arrhythmia/abnormal EKG, prostate disorder, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, neck, right hip disabilities and ulcerative colitis with stomach issues due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as chronic bronchitis due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of current disability or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claims remanded for further examinations to reconcile inconsistent physical findings and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings prior to September 27, 2002 have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to effective dates.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and migraines are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, as is the eye disability. The bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a hernia secondary to Meniere’s disease, but denied service connection for the right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, neck, and knee disabilities as well as hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right hand disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no evidence that it had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right shoulder strain, compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae with degenerative changes, PTSD with anxiety, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder dislocation disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.