Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as bursitis and osteoarthritis, and his bilateral hip condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, are related to complaints of pain in active service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective December 17, 2012. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and his military service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for shoulder disabilities, wrist disability, thumb disability, and foot disabilities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, foot, and shoulder conditions are granted based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative prior to any decision being made by the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis, right shoulder disorder, or diabetes mellitus that is related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and right arm and shoulder disabilities, as well as questions regarding employability and alcohol use.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, left hand, and right hand disabilities have been denied as there is no clinically observable limitation of motion or other impairment that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to have motion greater than 25 degrees from the side, but not ankylosis. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right or left shoulder disability that began during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, as it began during his active duty.,Regarding the left knee and shoulder disabilities, there is no evidence to support their occurrence or connection to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development due to the need for a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after a previous SSOC, and the Veteran should be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, malunion fracture of the right femur, proximal right tibia osteomyelitis, residual scar of a shell fragment wound to the left side of the left leg and multiple residual scars from multiple shell fragment wounds to the shoulders, left forearm and lower extremities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted an increased rating to 50% effective prior to November 27, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The conditions are not rated higher based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed for claims related to TMJ, left shoulder tendonitis, and a potential left arm disability. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right wrist disability, right shoulder arthritis, sleep disorder, and separated collar bone. The claim seeking increased ratings for various disabilities was also denied.