Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder are not related to service. The disabilities were not shown to have had their onset during service or within one year of separation from service. Moreover, there is no evidence linking these conditions to any injury or event of service origin.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or restoration of a rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current knee disabilities and right shoulder disability are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip injury residuals and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's claims. The conditions are considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and reschedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability, right arm disability, or bilateral wrist disability that had its onset during service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence showing their development in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking current diagnoses to service. The claims were denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has not more nearly approximated actual or functional limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side during the appeal period, and thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left shoulder degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's cardiac arrhythmia with chest pain is not considered related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War and providing appropriate VA examinations to assess his eye disorders, shoulder disorders, foot plantar fasciitis, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and left shoulder disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or a sleep disorder that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder scar is rated at 10 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The right ankle disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right shoulder disability, including radiculopathy. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis resulted in limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his disability was not severe enough to warrant an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left knee and right shoulder disabilities prior to May 1, 2009 have been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran contends he injured his left shoulder during basic training, which led to permanent aggravation in service. However, there is no clear and unmistakable evidence provided by the government to rebut this presumption.

The Board has granted service connection for acromioclavicular joint arthropathy of the right shoulder and mid-cervical facet arthropathy with foraminal stenosis at the third to fourth cervical vertebra level on the right, both related to in-service injuries. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not currently addressed as they were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed back disorder is at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal disorder, and rash were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The appeals are all in a 'denied' disposition.