Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder posttraumatic arthritis, labrum tear, and degeneration. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20% for lumbar spine, status post L4-5 fusion residuals with intervertebral disc syndrome is withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for traumatic brain injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are related to his in-service parachute jumps. The tinnitus is linked to military noise exposure, and bilateral hearing loss is associated with service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes a labral tear and subsequent surgery, began during his military service and is therefore granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination to assess his left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder injury and deteriorated joints in the left hand are denied. The claim for a left shoulder injury is granted, but new evidence does not establish a current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70% from June 27, 2017 to September 19, 2017. The right shoulder tendonitis and left knee strain with laxity are granted initial evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his continuous shoulder pain since service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and his service, including a lack of an adequate medical examination. The Veteran is asked to provide any outstanding private medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and right wrist disability due to an in-service dog bite. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder condition and skin disorders due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's right shoulder condition may be aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, but this needs further clarification. For the skin disorders, there is a need for an opinion on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder condition and skin disorders due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation. The Veteran's right shoulder condition may be aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, but this needs further clarification. For the skin disorders, there is a need for an opinion on whether they are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, left knee, and bilateral feet. The issues of service connection for neuropathy are also remanded. HIV is remanded as there is a current diagnosis and in-service incidents. PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder) are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine, right shoulder, right ankle and right knee disorders and his service. The VA is required to provide a new examination for each disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and scar were evaluated, but the current ratings for these conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease have been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as his disability rating for coronary artery disease has already reached the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rib-fracture residuals and residual surgical scars of the right knee, right shoulder, and left foot are being remanded due to incomplete evaluations. The Veteran must provide a response to the Statement of the Case or have his appeal perfected by submitting a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The current appeal involves issues related to increased ratings for right shoulder DJD, rotator cuff tear, deep scars, painful scars, and a superoanterior glenohumeral joint region scar.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the Veteran's claim for a right thigh condition remains denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his active duty service. The other reopened claims are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and right shoulder disability were incurred or aggravated by active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.