Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is found to be caused by his service-connected left Achilles tendon rupture, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher rating for his left shoulder recurrent dislocation remains under consideration.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes a post-operative dislocation and degenerative joint disease, is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, joint pain, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left shoulder and low back disabilities. The RO will also issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing the increased rating claim for PTSD with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran likely developed multilevel cervical spine DDD while in service, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition based on a presumption of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition during service and no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues on appeal are for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's skin conditions, specifically post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the upper back and shoulders and folliculitis, are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service injury is not credible, and therefore, service connection for any cervical spine disorder, numbness and tingling of the lower extremities, or headaches cannot be established. The Board also found no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year post-service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for her right shoulder injury, post-surgery with orthopedic and nerve impairment, was granted at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes and muscle strain of the left shoulder, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship to service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed shoulder and hip disorders. The claims are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of increased ratings for gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and elbow are also being considered.

The Board found that a left shoulder disorder was not incurred in service and is not related to service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran does not have a current disability involving either shoulder and has not at any time since the filing of this claim.