Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no medical opinion linking his current condition to any service-connected conditions. The Veteran's cognitive impairment was also found not to be related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition must be remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining his complete service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which resulted in painful motion and weakness causing limitation of motion to the shoulder level, is rated at 20 percent. The Board found that this warranted a higher initial rating than what was initially assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a new examination due to the lack of recent VA examination and possible worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for his disability and does not warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected old fracture of the left clavicle with nonunion was denied. The Board found that the current state of impairment did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder disability.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disorders in service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of medical evidence does not support a nexus between current disabilities and service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available for a non-dominant side shoulder with limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on functional impairment or additional limitation due to pain.

The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected mental health and musculoskeletal conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities, as well as obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability related to service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent, effective from August 2013. His left shoulder DJD has been granted service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left shoulder impingement syndrome, make him unable to obtain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability (left ear), tinnitus, left wrist arthritis, and left rib disorder are all related to service. The decision is granted.