Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain, but denied service connection for bilateral knee and left shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the shoulder and neck due to new evidence provided since the last denial. The issue is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a clarification of whether his conditions are related to his in-service duties as a multichannel transmission systems operator/maintainer.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and a TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain SSA records, service personnel records, and VA examinations for the ear disability, head trauma, and human bite claims. Additionally, a VA examination is required to address the left shoulder disorder and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition has been rated at 10 percent for the entire initial rating period, as it does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or involvement of multiple joints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, foot disorder (claimed as residual of cold injury), right ring finger disorder, and psychiatric disorder are not service-connected due to willful misconduct in the case of the left shoulder disorder.

The Board found that there was no evidence of fault on VA's part in the provision of care, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right shoulder disability. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at a combined evaluation of 90 percent, and the case is being remanded for further development to determine if they preclude his participation in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability and granted service connection. The right shoulder disability was also granted, with all issues resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, back disability, stomach disability, left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been reopened. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain has also been reopened. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether this condition is related to service.

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

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not related to service, and his right shoulder disability has been granted with an effective date of February 22, 2005.,Claims for the lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a right leg disorder, finding new and material evidence. The right shoulder disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's joint pain and bilateral knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including presumed exposure to toxic chemicals during his Gulf War service. The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder is found to be aggravated by a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right shoulder. The case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disability during the appeal period and thus, service connection for a left shoulder disability cannot be granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20% based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a TDIU is denied.