Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and low back disability, finding that arthritis of the shoulders was not related to his service or a jeep accident in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chest pain, claimed as pleurisy. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA and Workers' Compensation records, as well as private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine have been granted.,The Board found that DJD was manifested within one year after separation from service and is related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder and cervical spine strain, finding that these conditions were incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records. The Veteran will also need to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding private records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability prior to May 6, 2010 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition from May 6, 2010 also failed.

The Board found that the Veteran's complaints of weakness, numbness, and decreased sensation in his left upper extremity were not incurred or aggravated by service. The diagnosis was left ulnar neuropathy, which is a distinct condition from shoulder subluxations and chest deformities.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, but denied service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be due to an in-service injury, while his low back disorder is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and granted it. The Veteran's contentions, along with VA treatment records, private medical records, SSA records, and his testimony at hearings, have been considered in determining that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's shoulder disorders are not related to service, and denied his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, characterized by pain, limitation of motion, and recurrent dislocation, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the prior examination report was inadequate and did not address the impact of his service-connected disabilities in combination on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as his combined rating is at least 60 percent and he has multiple service-connected conditions that limit his ability to work. The Board finds the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is not service connected as it did not originate during his active duty and there is no evidence of aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and arthritis of multiple joints, including as due to Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including in-service acoustic trauma. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current chronic disability of either elbow.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder injuries, but is remanding it for further development and consideration.