Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and asthma are inadequate. The claims must be remanded to obtain new examinations with proper opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, bilateral eye disability, emphysema and pneumonia, and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are all denied as not related to service.,A compensable initial rating for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for the bilateral foot disability has been granted, effective March 5, 2013.,For his left knee disability, the appeal is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, right knee, bilateral shoulder, and left hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disorder or right shoulder disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected cyclothymic disorder with insomnia is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 1997. The Veteran's muscle spasms and joint pain are found to be due to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, bilateral lateral epicondylitis, and ORIF of the right ankle.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as his additional disability did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine, right shoulder, and right elbow disabilities were not incurred in service. The symptoms of degenerative arthritis were not chronic in service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability, insomnia, and a psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, headache, and respiratory disorders have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.,The Veteran also withdrew her appeals regarding the claim of service connection for a skin rash and the effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not continuous since service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his current right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent effective June 13, 2017. The rating is for the period after surgery and prior to any flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of breast cancer, left hand disability, left shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a link to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder disability and scar are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to inconsistencies in the documentation regarding prior dislocations. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from the December 2016 examiner or another qualified clinician.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is attributable to active service and the claim for service connection is granted. The left shoulder condition issue remains pending as a VA examination has been scheduled.