Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a chronic left shoulder disability due to potential errors in medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran is not entitled to commencement of the period of payment for VA compensation benefits prior to May 1, 2010 as his effective date was properly assigned on April 1, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected TMJ is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects the current level of disability and symptomatology. The rating criteria reasonably describe her condition.

The Veteran is granted additional special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet from July 22, 2008 to July 7, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder dislocation during service did not result in a chronic disability, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service. Therefore, service connection for a right shoulder disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right shoulder are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for TB converter tine test with positive PPD and primary complex, as well as residuals of injury to the left shoulder. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including PTSD and injuries sustained in Iraq, are denied as there is no current evidence of a psychiatric disability or any other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to service-connected disabilities in the year prior to his June 28, 2007 claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but denied service connection for a left toe disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, shell fragment wounds, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, are being reviewed to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected shoulder disability. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical examination and development of Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is considered part of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his left shoulder scar has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA records and schedule the Veteran for an audiological examination.

The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which he incurred in service, has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for a right elbow disability. The claim for service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking the current symptoms to service, while the right elbow disability claim did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow, right shoulder, and neck disorders did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for postoperative residuals of left shoulder strain was granted at a 10 percent rating effective May 7, 2012. The condition is rated based on limitation of motion.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their claims prior to a decision being made.