Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right elbow disorder were also addressed but are pending on remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms of the condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine whether service connection can be established for fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis of the shoulders, and plantar warts and chondromalacia of the knees. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling for the entire appeal period, with no higher rating granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his right shoulder tendonitis claim, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and a right shoulder disability during service, and since service separation. The Board finds these conditions are incurred in service.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, address secondary service connection claims for orthopedic disabilities, and provide a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, a disability manifested by growths on the neck, and burns. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for shoulder and back disorders. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further development.

Effective May 30, 2013, the Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disability and therefore granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of the Veteran's service dates and National Guard records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed left shoulder disability, and his current bilateral hearing loss is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative changes with history of bursitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The left shoulder bursitis remains rated at 20 percent prior to October 2, 2012 and 20 percent as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, low back, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, nor is there a showing of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and an addendum opinion from the Veteran's private examiner. The focus is on determining whether any diagnosed left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities are causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.