Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence was denied as his residuals did not meet the criteria for a severe postoperative disability.

The Veteran's appeals for the denial of service connection for a right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, and increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 27, 2010 and increased to 20 percent beginning on that date.,Neurological manifestations of the Veteran's right shoulder muscle strain with mild degenerative changes, chronic impingement and partial rotator cuff tear were rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, right shoulder. The Veteran's current range of motion is limited by pain and weakness on repetitive use to 145 degrees for flexion and 150 degrees for abduction.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with MDD and tinnitus, but the other issues remain denied. The Veteran's claim of new and material evidence to reopen his bilateral leg disability including leg cramps is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury during a football game. The Board also found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to Project SHAD. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the current diagnosis is less likely related to service.,Service connection for skin disorders due to burns in service is denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis. The right shoulder osteoarthritis is found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service injury, but an opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability could not be provided without speculation.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent since June 17, 2006. The appeal for a higher initial rating prior to March 18, 2009 was granted.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the right shoulder, resulting from treatment received at a VA medical facility in April 1993, is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employability and the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and determine if they render him unemployable.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity weakness, effective from December 22, 2011. The appeal is also granted for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints as secondary to the low back disability and GERD.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective October 16, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left hip and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a social survey. The issues on appeal are whether he can establish service connection for his left shoulder melanoma and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral shoulder disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending as they have not yet been addressed by an SOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings for various joint disabilities, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has ordered additional development to address these issues.