Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery required six months of convalescence, but further doctor-mandated convalescence was not demonstrated and the surgery did not result in severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast, home confinement, or continued necessity for wheelchair use. The Board finds that the criteria for a temporary total disability rating beyond April 30, 2011 based on need for convalescence following surgical treatment in October 2010 have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for paralysis of the long thoracic nerve with musculoskeletal pain in the left (minor) shoulder was granted, and his effective date for this increased rating is set at March 4, 2010.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative changes, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for internal derangement of the right knee, left knee, right wrist strain, and right shoulder strain. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected pseudofolliculitis and status post left inguinal herniorrhaphy have been withdrawn.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of a right shoulder disability or a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic arthritis of the right ankle and left (minor) shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's total and permanent disability rating due to service-connected disabilities, including his chronic cardiac disability affecting balance or propulsion, meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left hand, right shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are related to his active service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, back disability, left shoulder disability, and neck disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the appellant's claims of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and residuals of a right shoulder injury, which were previously denied in September 2002. The appellant now contends these injuries occurred during his honorable period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and provision of new examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, gout of the right elbow, and gout of the left hip are service-connected as they have been diagnosed during his active military service.,Service connection for hypertension is not granted as there is no evidence linking it to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder disability ratings remain unchanged, but the Board has ordered additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and conduct further examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities are not related to her service, and therefore, she is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disability at any time during the appeal period and denied service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability was also denied as there were no current diagnoses of a shoulder disorder in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding his PTSD, right shoulder disability, and restless leg syndrome.