Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board previously granted an increased schedular rating of 20 percent for service-connected right shoulder dislocation prior to September 19, 2013. The Veteran appealed the decision to the Court, and the Court vacated only that portion of the October 2014, Board decision which denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder dislocation on an extraschedular basis. This case is now remanded by the Court to determine if referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) is necessary based on the collective impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of his claims, including a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral shin splints, bilateral shoulder disability, or low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including arthritis, is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Graves' disease is being addressed.

The Board found no evidence linking joint pain of the shoulders, knees, and back to service or any exposure to mustard gas or Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with residuals and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disorder.,PTSD is granted, but due to a depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her service-connected conditions were granted and assigned. The rating of 30 percent was maintained for eczema, increased to 30 percent for left knee patella medial/median facet cartilage degeneration with subchondral cyst as of December 15, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent from that date. A compensable rating was granted for status post vocal cord surgery with supraglottis, but not for left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis with posterior-superior impingement, fracture of the fifth left toe, or excision of soft mass tissue and bone fragments from the right foot. The Veteran's nevus of Ito was assigned a 10 percent disability rating.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain and associate with the claims file the Veteran's complete service personnel records, as well as any ongoing treatment records. The VA will also provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the origins or etiology of all current psychiatric disorders, incontinence/chronic bladder disorder, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and low back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder bursitis is not related to his military service and thus denies service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for recurrent instability of the left shoulder with arthritis was granted, but no specific effective date is provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, hip, left ankle, and lower back disorders due to a lack of new and material evidence showing a link between these conditions and either service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was received with regard to the September 2006 and October 2006 rating decisions, which denied service connection for various conditions. The appeal is now remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for scar tissue and a tissue disability of the subscapular area as a residual of removal of a bullet from the right parasternal area under the scapula.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, and neurological spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability remains on appeal.