Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology. The current VA examinations are insufficient.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's shoulder had not been shown to have fibrous union of the humerus prior to September 12, 2011 or from November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied, while the extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following right shoulder surgery beyond March 1, 2008 was granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of her claims on appeal, including those for service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to clarify which left shoulder pathology and impairment are service-connected, and the ratings for his service connected left shoulder disability will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, lymphoma of the left shoulder, respiratory disorder and colon polyps are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased ratings for left shoulder disability, headaches, folliculitis, and cervical spine disability. The decision also addressed a claim for TDIU but did not adjudicate it due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the current condition is related to an injury in service. The low back and shoulder disorders are not considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service injuries. The Veteran is requested to provide more specific time frames for his alleged right shoulder injury and inservice pneumonia, and VA will attempt to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is not service-connected, but his lumbar spondylolisthesis has been granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left shoulder replacement and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder, right ankle, left knee, left hip, mid-back, and bilateral thumb conditions are related to his service due to combat injuries. The appeal is granted.

The Board found no current clinical diagnosis of a right leg, left leg, or left shoulder/shoulder disorder and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, left shoulder disability, and left ankle disability are related to his service. The claim for increased rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show a recurrent right shoulder dislocation and surgery, as well as post-service medical records indicating degenerative changes in his right shoulder.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant outstanding service treatment records (STRs) and additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran had a shoulder disability in service, which could potentially grant service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left shoulder condition and his service, including Gulf War exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.