Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including mild degenerative joint disease, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining post-service private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any left shoulder and/or cervical spine disabilities preexisted active service or were incurred therein. The examiner will also assess whether any current left shoulder and/or cervical spine disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral severe sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and lateral listhesis at L3-L4.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, effective February 1, 2013.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple-joint arthritis and a nose disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for residuals of a broken nose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sinusitis as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and private medical records. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on all issues and given an opportunity to perfect his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 30, 2009. From November 1, 2009 to July 28, 2011, the disability was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's request for higher ratings and service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right wrist disorder. The appeals on cervical spine, left shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition and granted it. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly pension based on regular need of aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of a right knee injury. The claims for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability have all been denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg and right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The issue of service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to the need for proper development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 3, 2010 for a grant of service connection for residuals of chloracne with scarring chest, upper back, shoulders, proximal skin and face.

The Board has granted service connection for lipomas, but denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, bronchitis, and migraine headaches as there is no current disability found to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right leg, back, right ankle, and right hip disabilities. The claims for erectile dysfunction and a right shoulder disability are also granted as they are related to these service-connected conditions.