Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right labrum tear with old shoulder dislocation, biceps tendonitis, and inflammatory changes and lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or impairment, and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability has been evaluated at a 20 percent rating since February 1, 2009. The medical evidence does not show that the condition more nearly approximates ankylosis or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of acne vulgaris, bilateral shoulder disorder, clavicle disorder, or bilateral knee disorder. The Board finds that service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine (neck) disorder, headaches, and lumbar spine (low back) disorder have been withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of arthritis manifest to 10% within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2010 VA examination, which did not address the extent of his right shoulder disability during flare-ups. The case will be returned for an appropriate examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder tendonitis renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, effective January 1, 2000.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and TDIU as there was no competent evidence linking his current disabilities to his active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus. The appeal was also dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his application to reopen the claim of service connection for a rib disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his shoulder disabilities and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in January 2007. The Veteran's claims were not reopened, as new and material evidence was not presented to support these claims. Service connection for a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, heart disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is at least partially related to his service-connected left shoulder disability. He is also eligible for specially adapted housing benefits due to his bilateral knee disabilities, which preclude locomotion without the use of a cane or brace.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 1, 2005.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from the date of the July 2010 rating decision. Additionally, a separate 10 percent disability rating is assigned for instability of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a postponement of his hearing, and is now scheduling another hearing as appropriate for an incarcerated veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left shoulder disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and knee disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic right shoulder or low back disability in service or within one year after service separation. The current diagnoses were not related to service.