Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder disability and impairment of the clavicle, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were not found to be disabling enough to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and is granting service connection for a sleeping disorder (circadian rhythm sleep disorder).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral shoulder disorders. The evidence does not support a direct or secondary relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeals of increased ratings for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as well as her claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability, have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran at the October 2013 Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing before a local Hearing Officer.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an updated medical opinion.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disability that is causally or etiologically related to service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of the Veteran's retirement from service. As such, service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied.

The Board denied an increased rating on an extra-schedular basis for the service-connected right shoulder disability, finding that no additional schedular ratings were warranted. An effective date earlier than April 14, 2005, for a 40 percent rating was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as an orthopedist examination is required to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder injury (not including residual scar) was denied. The Board found no causal link between the current left shoulder moderate osteoarthritis and service. For the period from March 3, 2008 to May 14, 2009, the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From May 14, 2009, the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent were also not met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate prior medical opinions and a need to review the Veteran's VBMS file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his right wrist disability has not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that another attempt should be made to schedule the Veteran for necessary VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities due to incomplete service records, including those from National Guard service and both periods of active duty. The case is also remanded to obtain dental treatment eligibility determinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is found to be incurred during service, resulting in the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is service-connected as secondary to her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be related to the fall caused by her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO granted the claim to assign a rating of 40 percent for status post back injury with lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, effective May 23, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the Buffalo RO due to the Veteran's request.