Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right shoulder and right elbow disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for arthritis of the right shoulder, or a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right elbow.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected residuals of low back strain.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion to the shoulder level, meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require aid and attendance of another person, as his need for assistance is primarily due to his seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from sudden cardiac arrest. The VA reviewer concluded that the Veteran's PTSD was not a primary cause of death, and other medical conditions were more likely contributing factors.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder and lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service. The Veteran's current disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, an effective date assignment, and service connection for various conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding treatment records from Waycross Orthopedics and to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the effective date claim.

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

The case is being remanded for the VA to obtain Social Security Administration records and then review the claim again. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration of his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's shoulder disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent for each shoulder. No higher ratings are warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis, impairment of the humerus involving recurrent dislocation, malunion, fibrous union, false flail joint, or flail shoulder; or impairment of the scapula or clavicle.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and instead related to his pre-existing familial spastic paraparesis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and left ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's left hip disorder and right shoulder disorder are found to be related to her military service.,Service connection is granted for a disability manifested by chest pain, as the evidence shows it had its onset during service.