Shoulder decisions — 2014

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent effective from April 26, 2013.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and by inference also considered the cervical spine. New evidence was received since January 2003, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as he did not incur any additional left shoulder disability as a result of VA surgical treatment in April and December 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to its inextricability with his pending increased initial rating for headaches. The case is now REMANDED for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD, headaches, right shoulder disability/arthritis, left shoulder disability/arthritis, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his back disability or left shoulder disability prior to May 17, 2012, but granted separate 10 percent evaluations for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve since March 20, 2009 and October 15, 2010. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disorders, as secondary to his service-connected right humerus fracture residuals. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff disability, DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, and heart disability (to include hypertension and CAD) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection and initial ratings for his left shoulder disorder and bilateral dry eye with corneal erosions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for his left shoulder disorder, as it was productive of no more than moderate impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, and knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, and back disabilities as they were not incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA joints examination and referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied all claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability to which his complaints could be attributed and that any symptoms he experienced were already contemplated in the existing ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, diaphragm hernia, and low back disability. However, new evidence did not provide a basis to grant these claims as they are denied due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder and a left ankle disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.