Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and evidence from the Metropolitan Community Clinic. The claims for increased ratings for myositis of the upper back and right shoulder disability will be addressed in conjunction with these developments.

The Board denied service connection for impingement of a nerve and cervical spine disability, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, shin splints, shoulder, finger fracture, and foot conditions have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings based on current functional impairment or other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right shoulder scarring has been denied. The Veteran is still seeking a compensable rating for his left shoulder scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability, headaches, or dysplasia for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including a torn rotator cuff and arthritis, is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease of the left shoulder, nor do symptoms manifest until after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder strain is less likely caused by his service due to a congenital deformity (Sprengel's Deformity) documented in service records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a breathing disability (asthma) and mechanical low back pain, but denied service connection for hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss disability and insufficient objective findings for the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a travel board hearing. The Board will not make any determination on the merits of his claims until after this hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for residuals of a right total knee arthoplasty and a request to restore the prior rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current right ankle disability and thus, service connection for a right ankle disorder cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and tendonitis have been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant functional impairment including pain, stiffness, weakness, and restricted movement.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left shoulder arthritis or left hip osteoarthritis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The VA examiners concluded that her current right shoulder disability is more likely due to natural aging process rather than service.