Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The VA examinations did not establish a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder and hand disabilities, fractured nose, TBI with headaches, neck disorder, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, and chronic numbness in the left upper extremity, are denied as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence of these conditions being caused by or related to the July 2009 fall.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left ring finger scar was granted. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a compression fracture of the back and headaches, but dismissed the appeals regarding bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder dislocation due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, an opinion on ED causation, a skin disorder examination, and a VA examination regarding his back, neck, right shoulder, and bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including a compensable rating prior to June 23, 2009 for his left shoulder disability with Bankart procedure residuals and an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disability of the right shoulder or right hip which is attributable to service. The claim for dairy allergy was denied as it is considered congenital or developmental in nature.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder or left upper extremity disability that can be attributed to active service. Therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of proper notice for a scheduled Board hearing. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active duty service and granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The reduction of the evaluation for his right shoulder strain was not proper, but he is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter, and thus are not presumed to have been incurred therein. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any nexus between current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral chondromalacia patella, but denied service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or pain to shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. The claims for increased ratings for left and right ankle sprains and migraine headaches are also denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disability, effective from September 7, 2007. The thoracolumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition is not related to his active service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.