Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective dates assigned are August 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to correct duty to assist errors and obtain retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is being remanded to conduct an updated medical review.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and gout due to the absence of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current left knee, left shoulder, or gout disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided do not comply with the remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being remanded again.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 4, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion, particularly regarding the Veteran's reports of shoulder pain during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's representative was not provided an opportunity for a hearing prior to the review, but this is not considered prejudicial as they will be given another chance after the development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to insufficient range of motion measurements in previous VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, a left ankle disability, and a left shoulder disability. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than rhinitis. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and a right elbow disorder, both secondary to service-connected left ulnar neuropathy. The VA examiner must address whether these conditions are related to overcompensation due to the Veteran's limited use of his left arm.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disorders. The cases are being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The back disability, bilateral knee disabilities (right and left knees), and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's prostate condition, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, shoulder and hip disabilities (claimed as bursitis and tendonitis), psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of tonsillitis and mononucleosis, but has remanded the issue of service connection for generalized arthritis involving joints other than the right shoulder, to include the back.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his LEFT shoulder and dental disabilities were dismissed. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric condition, including opioid dependence / alcohol dependence / mood disorder / cognitive disorder / psychotic disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, was reopened.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate reasons and bases in the previous decision regarding the right shoulder polymyositis. The Veteran's medications for his general polymyositis condition are considered, and a new VA examination is required to assess the impact on his right shoulder.