Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder reconstruction is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinopathy with degenerative joint disease was characterized by functional impairment comparable to limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side on and after April 13, 2011. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the right and left shoulders have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to April 22, 2009 without considering his age and a non-service-connected condition (HSP).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder related to his active duty service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection. The initial compensable ratings for left shoulder sprain and sternocostal strain are also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection based on the presumption in favor of Persian Gulf War veterans. The other issues have not yet been decided.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including the one regarding service connection for a sinus disability. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling, effective from May 31, 2011. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities was granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis, is related to his active service. As such, the criteria for entitlement to service connection have been met and the Veteran's claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for back, left shoulder, and left lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing onset in or causation by military service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum from a VA examiner who conducted the July 2014 examination and opinion, in order to provide guidance as to whether the Veteran's left shoulder disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his cervical spine condition or shoulder condition, and also noted that there was no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder muscle injury and associated musculoskeletal disability have been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began, with a separate rating of 20 percent for the musculoskeletal disability. The current ratings are based on limitation of motion of the arm.

The Veteran's MRSA is found to be at least as likely as not related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all remaining issues, including those related to service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities are secondary to in-service activities remains under consideration.