Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but the claim for a separate left shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder remains pending.,The Veteran has submitted evidence that suggests his current disabilities may be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and procurement of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left shoulder conditions, including impingement syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints, are service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for keloids of the chest, right shoulder, and back was denied as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder disability and its impact on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right upper, left upper, and left lower extremity disorders are not causally or etiologically due to service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of discharge, and are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected poliomyelitis disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination for his hair loss disability. The remaining claims are also being remanded as the RO has not yet issued an SOC.

The Veteran's application to restore a 30 percent rating for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease has been granted. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for right shoulder disorder, right foot gout, left foot gout, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, tinnitus, and gastritis are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of SSA disability determination and information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The case will be returned to the Board after all necessary development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder adhesive capsulitis and right calf sprain are remanded due to the lack of current diagnoses. The claim for central serous retinopathy was previously denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and a Statement of the Case on effective date issues.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an effective date earlier than August 24, 1995, for the grant of service connection for an anterior labral tear of the right shoulder. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 22, 2009 for the award of a 30 percent rating for right knee strain with degenerative joint disease. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was reopened and granted. His claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU prior to August 1, 2008, are still pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to September 21, 2011, was rated at 50 percent.,From September 21, 2011 to September 21, 2012, the Veteran's right shoulder disability received a 100 percent rating due to his right shoulder replacement.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. He is now entitled to a combined rating of 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, which he contends is related to his service-connected gout and/or lumbar spine disability. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left shoulder condition and his service.