Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, vasectomy scar, and prostate mass have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus. The effective date of a 30 percent evaluation for the right shoulder will be corrected.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip, knee, elbow, and shoulder pain are not due to undiagnosed illness or service-connected conditions. The left and right shoulder pain is attributed to adhesive capsulitis caused by diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, shoulder, and hearing loss disorders have been granted. The effective date is set at October 23, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's service-connected scars of the left ankle, right shoulder, back, and left arm have not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities have rendered him unable to care for himself, necessitating the aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated as 20 percent disabling. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or related to his active duty service, while the claim for the shoulder condition is pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or favorable ankylosis in any degree.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for defective vision and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, left arm disorder, and right arm disorder. The evidence received was not sufficient to reopen any of these previously denied claims.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, left elbow epicondylitis and olecranon bursitis, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to an outstanding hearing request. The claims for increased ratings will be addressed after the scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation or TDIU based on his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for residuals of TBI was also denied.,New evidence received since the August 2007 decision supports reopening claims for lumbar spine DDD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for residuals of TBI was also denied.,New evidence received since the August 2007 decision supports reopening claims for lumbar spine DDD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for residuals of TBI was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder prior to September 12, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show motion limited to 25 degrees or less from the side, which is necessary for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder strain and lumbosacral strain have been evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of additional functional impairment or other factors warranting higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while impairing his ability to work, do not render him unemployable as a whole. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold requirement for TDIU under section 4.16(a).

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back disability. The claims for increased ratings for left shoulder DJD are denied.