Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, while hypesthesia on the right side of the face is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities required a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance to be worn or used which tended to wear out his clothing, or that he used medication due to a service-connected disability that caused irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability was aggravated by service. The claim is being returned for further review.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the July 2011 VA examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected and denied his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service and may not be presumed to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond January 31, 2011 for convalescence following right shoulder surgery was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate doctor-mandated convalescence or severe postoperative residuals beyond January 31, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from January 30, 2008 to July 18, 2012. The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the right shoulder surgical scar from January 21, 2011 to December 30, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201, does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the April 1946 rating decision that granted service connection for right shoulder synovitis, secondary to a chip fracture of the right humeral head. The Veteran's claim was denied as there was no CUE.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as to determine the etiology of his current right ankle disability. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostatitis, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 2008. The Board has determined that the effective date for TDIU should be December 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the fingers or right shoulder, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) is not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral shoulder disability. The VA examiner concluded that DJD of the right shoulder is less likely than not related to any in-service event or injury, and there is no evidence of left shoulder condition during service.,The Board found that the Veteran's current nerve irritation manifested as left shoulder pain is proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, service connection for a pulmonary disability was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff tendonitis, was not present in service and is unrelated to an injury or event during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination regarding his claimed left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, COPD, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The right shoulder disability rating issue remains under review, as does the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claim for diabetes mellitus.