Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding hepatitis C. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for right ear hearing loss and propriety of a combined evaluation of 60 percent for service-connected disabilities assigned in a June 2009 rating decision are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the fingers, hands, shoulders, and spine have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and seborrheic dermatitis in the groin area is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder disability, including whether it is related to her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board denied service connection for low back, knee, hip, and shoulder disorders, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions and insufficient medical nexus to link current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been productive of humerus impairment resulting in recurrent dislocation at the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements, but no worse. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2009 and at 40 percent as of that date due to recurrent shoulder dislocations and constant guarding of all arm movements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability and sciatica are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's statements regarding symptoms during service have been discounted due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The decision also addressed his TDIU claim but noted that further action was required.

The Veteran is granted service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection is denied for numbness and tingling of the shoulders, hands, and feet.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by blurred vision during service.,Prostatitis was granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent from December 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and arm disability, diagnosed as left shoulder instability, clearly preexisted service. The VA examiner found no aggravation of this condition during service or by any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's right wrist disability will be examined to determine its severity, and his shoulders and low back disorders will be evaluated to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for new evidence regarding service connection for shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bursitis of the left shoulder, cervical spine arthritis (rated at 10% prior to September 14, 2004, and at 20% therefrom), tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits were denied across multiple conditions. The Board found that none of the claimed conditions are service-connected.