Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral upper extremity musculoskeletal disabilities, including shoulder impingement, elbow epicondylitis and arthritis, right elbow medial tendinopathy, hand distal degenerative joint changes, and elbow arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability have been denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various genitourinary and musculoskeletal disabilities, including prostate cancer, kidney disability, bladder disability, low back disability, right hip disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability, but denied the claim for dental treatment purposes. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide an examination for the left shoulder disability.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's right C5-6 radiculopathy, claimed as a 'right arm' disorder, is granted service connection and is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including obesity resulting from his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to May 14, 2020. However, the claim for an increased rating since September 1, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was granted service connection because it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.,The Board is requesting further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right foot/ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a shoulder disability, secondary to service-connected bilateral varicose veins disabilities due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examiner's opinion. A new medical opinion is needed that takes into account all relevant evidence, including recent medical records provided by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy should be remanded due to a lack of in-person examinations. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain these examinations from the correctional facility where the Veteran is incarcerated.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during or related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on painful and limited motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right foot conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee conditions as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to his service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disorder were granted service connection as they are considered to have been incurred during their active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Arnold-Chiari malformation, left shoulder disability, and left arm disability. The Board found that the conditions were not caused by or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from dressing, undressing, bathing, grooming himself without assistance and requires care to protect him from daily hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues was dismissed. The claim for PTSD, rated at 100%, remains in effect from November 14, 2014.