Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated at this time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disorder, diagnosed as traumatic glaucoma, is related to an injury incurred during military service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and left fourth finger disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but since April 24, 2010, his flexion has been limited to 180 degrees with pain at just 40 degrees and abduction to 160 degrees with pain at 70 degrees. The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues, including obtaining additional medical records and addressing whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for erythematous multiforme.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, depression, arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and hips, memory loss (small vessel brain disease), headaches, macular degeneration, dry eyes, and flat feet have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or manifest within one year of separation.

The Board found no current right shoulder disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as the VA examinations have not been conducted and he has not yet been provided adequate notice of a scheduled examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, low back, and urinary disabilities. Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative joint disease. The claims of service connection for residuals of an appendectomy, a disability manifested by headaches and dizziness, and a skin disability manifested by jock itch are not reopened.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 3, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence shows diastolic pressure predominately 100 or more, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by limited and painful range of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and scars were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability for hearing loss or sufficient functional impairment to warrant a compensable rating for the left shoulder disability or scars.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to his claimed bilateral shoulder and low back disabilities. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine if these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral heel disability, but the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shin disability.

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain, tension headaches, and right shoulder Bankart/SAP repair with osteoarthritis have all been rated as noncompensable.,No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.