Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a comprehensive orthopedic examination.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder, as well as lung disease and hypertension. The Veteran did not have chronic symptoms or a current diagnosis related to these conditions in service or since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide proper secondary service connection notice, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability, including any neurological manifestations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disorders based on a finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine, right knee, and left shoulder conditions were denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left subclavian shoulder/arm disability, cardiac arrest, paralyzed right hemi diaphragm disability, and vagus nerve injury with left vocal cord palsy as they are related to his service-connected left subclavian shoulder/arm disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining new opinions from examiners.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been manifested by pain and limitation of motion, with right arm motion limited to not lower than shoulder level. The criteria are not met for a schedular rating higher than 20 percent prior to September 9, 2010 or from December 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her right shoulder and hip disabilities. Her anemia rating remains noncompensably disabling, and a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability is also required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, hypertension, and DJD of the bilateral shoulders have been denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria. The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected shoulder conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and depression) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 80%, which meets the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, the weight of the evidence indicates that these disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disability, right shoulder disability, and right ankle disability were denied as current diagnosed disabilities were not demonstrated. The case is REMANDED to obtain outstanding treatment records and provide VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder scars, which are residuals of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for these scars.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.