Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is also denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities need further investigation, as requested records have not been obtained.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except lumbar strain, which was granted. The remaining conditions were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a compensable rating for left elbow olecranon bursitis. The remaining conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left eye macula condition are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board denied service connection for joint and muscle pain (claimed as ankles, hips, wrists, feet, shoulders, hands, and neck) due to lack of evidence showing a current disability separate from the Veteran's already service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hand numbness and neck disorder. The Board found that these conditions were at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The lumbar paravertebral myositis remains rated at 10 percent, with the issue of entitlement to a higher rating also being remanded. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and another VA examination is needed to assess their severity.

The Board has determined that the previous VA examiner's opinions were inadequate and ordered a new examination. The August 2016 VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether any right shoulder disability began in service or within one year of separation, nor did they address if the Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder disability caused him to favor his right shoulder more than he would have otherwise, which could cause or aggravate any right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional argument and evidence from the Veteran, and will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, but has remanded his claims for right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral shoulder disability, respiratory condition (bronchitis and asthma), bilateral ankle disability, back disability, and neck disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The AOJ is instructed to verify dates of active duty training and inactive duty training, obtain any outstanding VA or private treatment records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left shoulder disorders in conjunction with the right knee disorder, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 19, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is partially granted with a 30 percent rating for GERD. The remaining issues of service connection and increased rating are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an eye disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The rating for his right knee condition remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disability, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, left ulnar neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence on file from 1972 until 2001.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand arthritis, and bilateral shoulder disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is rated 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5203 for impairment of clavicle or scapula. The Board finds that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current shoulder disorders are related to his service, specifically the incident in July 2003 when he tried to slow down a heavy object using his hands.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder and elbow disability, finding that his congenital deformity did not worsen during military service.

The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a back disability and Hepatitis C, and these claims are allowed. Further assistance is needed to determine if there is a current disability related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it did not manifest in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,The appeal for service connection for right shoulder disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The appeal for service connection for right ankle disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The appeal for service connection for neck disability is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Further assistance is needed to determine if there is a current disability related to service.