Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to address the etiology of any left shoulder disability, as the previous opinions were based on incorrect findings.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial evaluation for a fractured left forearm and service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disorder that manifested in service or within one year thereafter, and concluded the current condition is not related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is due to an injury sustained during parachute jumps in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities do not warrant an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The decision also noted that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. Service connection claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on percentage ratings alone. However, due to his physical limitations and lack of computer skills, he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded for referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extra-schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome, including any additional disabilities and their relationship to the current condition. The case will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of impingement syndrome of the left shoulder is related to active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been rated at 30 percent since September 6, 2011. The effective date for this rating is set to that day.

The Veteran has been granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities that result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as it is rendered moot by the grant of specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability did not have its onset in service or within one year of service discharge and was not shown to be etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and ensuring the duty to assist has been satisfied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder is pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability, and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disorder. The Board also denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear examination reports and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and neck/cervical spine disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.