Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and the claims must be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions based on the Veteran's competent and credible reports of in-service injuries and continued symptoms since service.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for left shoulder disability. The Board denied these claims, finding that neither the August 2016 nor January 2017 Intent to File could serve as the proper effective date.,The Board also remanded two issues: right shoulder strain and cervical spine disability, due to a lack of evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate findings from previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required to properly assess the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,There was no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including DJD, back disorder, diabetes mellitus DM, right eye disorder, GI disorder (gastritis), and skin disorder (rash on groin). The AOJ is instructed to complete the additional development directed in previous remands.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer is found to be proximately due to his service-connected left trigeminal neuralgia.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to be proximately due to his service-connected lumbar degeneration and left trapezius strain.

The Board denied service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) and intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities due to new evidence received since the last denial. The cases are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special month compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities is remanded. The Board ordered a VA examination, but indicated that the Veteran did not need to attend this examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disability was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and bilateral shoulder conditions, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their severity. The Board finds that SMC based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, low back, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) due to a lack of VA treatment records and potential stressor verification.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The claims for increased ratings for Achilles' tendonitis and TDIU prior to October 5, 2011 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as due to service-connected bilateral sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine and denied a higher rating for bilateral sacroiliitis of the lumbar spine. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders and neck are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but further evidence is needed for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is denied. The Board has found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability, and thus no greater rating is warranted under the applicable criteria. Additionally, the issue of service connection for fibromyalgia secondary to the service-connected right shoulder condition is remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current right shoulder disability and its relationship to service.