Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder neuropathy with suprascapular nerve involvement was remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition and concluding that any current left shoulder disorder is less likely than not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, and headaches (also claimed as dizziness, vertigo, and labyrinthitis). The termination of separate evaluations for arthritis of the right shoulder and torn rotator cuff was found to be improper.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left ankle sprain, right shoulder impingement, residuals of rib fracture, and post-operative residuals of a meniscectomy, have been granted. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left shoulder disability and his active service, thus denying his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and his bilateral shoulder disabilities are considered to be directly related to service. His bilateral knee retropatella pain syndrome is also found to be directly related to service.,Service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee retropatella pain syndrome, and right knee retropatella pain syndrome has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder or limitation of flexion of the left knee from February 22, 2012.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including additional examinations and opinions, to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for anxiety disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left knee and left shoulder disorders, but the Board finds insufficient evidence to decide these claims due to inadequate VA opinions. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and will be scheduled for a hearing before the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination regarding National Guard service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, disorder of the mid/upper back, and neck disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder acromioclavicular joint degenerative joint disease did not have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and hand conditions, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and temporary total rating as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in May 2012. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 28, 2009 for the grant of service connection for status post hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy secondary to service-connected Crohn's disease is denied.