Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine IVDS, lumbar spine IVDS, upper extremity radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis, and headaches. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome and a rotator cuff tear, did not manifest within one year of service and is not linked to her active duty service. The claim for right knee DJD was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to the need for a hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his herpes simplex did not meet criteria for a compensable rating due to constant or near-constant treatment. The VA examiner concluded that his hearing loss does not qualify as a disability under VA regulations. Service connection was also denied for depression, left shoulder arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for hypertension and restored the 50% rating for headaches. The claim for increased rating of low back strain with degenerative disc disease and sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis is denied. TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and left wrist fracture, status post distal radius osteotomy have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hand arthritis or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for right shoulder tendonitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they were caused by his own medical condition, specifically the June 2007 cardiac event. The VA treatment did not cause these additional disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of a current left shoulder disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The right shoulder and left hip claims are also pending.

The Board has determined that the injuries sustained in January 1984 were incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, and left knee arthritis. The Board denied service connection for left elbow disability and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current chronic disability that can be linked to his in-service injury. The Board found the Veteran did not have a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including issuance of Statements of the Case and scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues include rating an increased disability for bilateral pes planus, service connection for various disabilities, and review of a reduction in rating for plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee strain and acromioclavicular (shoulder) DJD do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability is granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective from March 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled travel board hearing. The claims are now pending for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder disorders including osteoarthritis and impingement, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The diagnoses were not deemed to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, hypothyroidism, and left shoulder tendonitis. The claims will be remanded to allow for these evaluations.