Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur any of the claimed disabilities during his active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and that there was no evidence of a cervical disorder or bilateral hip/knee/shoulder/ankle disorders related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder radiculopathy, and chronic headaches are all found to be related to her service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a head injury, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disability, did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA medical records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and an examination for his right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right radial head fracture with traumatic arthritis aggravated his current right wrist and/or right shoulder disability, as well as a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hips, knees, and shoulders. The Board also finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected Lyme disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a rating of 30 percent since March 8, 2012, based on limitation of motion and guarding.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and affording the Veteran a reasonable opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the hips, shoulders and knees, are found to preclude substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical degenerative disc disease with disc herniation, headaches, and bilateral shoulder condition are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right meralgia paresthetica disabilities are already rated appropriately at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated as noncompensable, with flexion limited to at least 130 degrees.,Left shoulder strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran has pain but no additional loss of range of motion after repetitive use testing.,Left heel bursitis and right foot plantar fasciitis are both rated as noncompensable, with symptoms including pain, swelling, and orthotic use.

The Veteran's arthritis of the right shoulder is found to be related to his military service and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and ensuring all claims are properly adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's discharge from active duty in July 1967 was under conditions other than honorable, which bars him from receiving VA disability benefits. The case is being remanded to provide proper notice and for further development.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination and consideration of functional loss.