Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disorder that had its onset during active service or is otherwise causally related to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from August 1, 2004 to March 4, 2005.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling further examinations. The case will be reconsidered in light of all the evidence.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left and right shoulder disabilities have been granted, with the right shoulder receiving a 20 percent rating from January 23, 2014. The left shoulder disability received a 10 percent rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff tendinitis, acromio-clavicular joint degenerative joint disease, and a posterior-inferior labral tear with paralabral cyst, were incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disabilities are not related to service and have determined that the claims for service connection must be denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete VA treatment records and need for further development regarding service connection, exposure history, and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right shoulder conditions, finding that new evidence supports reopening of these claims. The Veteran is now entitled to a rating for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right thigh disabilities are not related to active service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of records. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder may have pre-existed service, but further clarification is needed regarding its etiology. Additional VA examination for his lung/sinus disorder is also required.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed low back, shoulder, and knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected right hip synovitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent each for his service-connected back and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed low back and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion from a VA examiner, is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for hearing loss, heat stroke residuals, or bilateral knee pain. The claim for higher evaluation of right shoulder injury is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain the full text of informed consent for VA medical procedures and to provide an addendum opinion regarding causation. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to their reliance on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple peripheral neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 5, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from October 6, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shoulder disability is related to an in-service injury, and therefore service connection for a shoulder disability is granted. The issue of whether the cervical spine disability is secondary to the shoulder disability remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability had its onset during military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities have been rated as 10 percent for each condition, with a 30 percent rating for the cervical spondylosis with traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine. The other conditions remain at 10 percent.