Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left shoulder strain with arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability, scarring of bilateral lower extremities, and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the current evidence and need for clarification on the nature and severity of the conditions.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for left foot disorder, right foot disorder, sleep disorder, increased ratings for left clavicle subluxation with shoulder strain disability and status-post scaphoid fracture with carpal fusion, right wrist disability, and a TDIU. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder strain and a cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Board granted an effective date of April 4, 2016 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by dislocation and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted, and a TDIU has also been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that further clarification is required prior to a decision on the merits of the Veteran's claims due to internal inconsistencies in previous opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain and bilateral wrist pain due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no medical nexus establishing causality between current complaints and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address a specific in-service incident.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, including as secondary to the service-connected back disability, due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were not adequate to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left ulnar nerve paralysis and left upper arm/shoulder scarring is dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and hip disorders due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition and left shoulder disability are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, which he contends was caused by cold water exposure during diving. Service treatment records show instances of decompression sickness (DCS), and private medical evidence supports this contention.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was previously denied a higher rating, and the Board has now remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is also being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a left knee/left tibia disability is granted. The VA has remanded the cases of increased rating for right shoulder arthritis, rating for left shoulder surgical scars, and service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome.