Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability is found to be related to his service, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and a left shoulder disorder has been dismissed as there is no case or controversy involving these claims. The RO determined that the Veteran was already service-connected for arthritis/degenerative joint disease of his lumbar spine, which encompasses any arthritis present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, right arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and lung or respiratory disability as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left arm bursitis did not originate in service or until many years thereafter, and is otherwise not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic residuals of a motor vehicle accident affecting the Veteran's spine, shoulders, arms, and entire body as there were no chronic residuals at the time of separation from service.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the RO for adjudication. The Veteran's claim is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left shoulder disability, and the Board finds that any current symptoms are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current left shoulder osteoarthritis and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities are likely related to his military service. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left shoulder and left elbow disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's diagnosed low back disorder, specifically myofascial lumbar syndrome, was incurred during service. The Board finds that the Veteran also incurred bilateral shoulder disorders (left and right) during service.

The Board found no evidence of a torn meniscus or chronic right knee disorder, cholecystitis, chrondromalacia, lipoma on the right shoulder, cervical spine disorder, tendonitis of the feet, or DeQuervain's tendonitis of the left hand that were incurred in service. The Veteran did not provide credible lay assertions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a tropical blood disease and left shoulder disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially rated at 30 percent from March 29, 2005 to September 25, 2006. The claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.