Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability and determine if there are any flare-ups that significantly limit functional ability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder have been reopened. The claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran claims his left shoulder disability is due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy in his feet. The Board finds additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, increased PTSD ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the RO had properly assigned the effective dates based on when service connection was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current testicular disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The low back and right shoulder disabilities are also found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection were received by VA less than one year after he separated from active service, and the disabilities originated while he was serving on active duty. The effective date of the awards is set to October 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, and status post mandibular fracture are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's back, neck, shoulder and hip disabilities are related to service on a direct basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since February 10, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dermatitis/eczema and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the examination results and unclear diagnosis of a right shoulder disability. Further development is needed, including another VA examination.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete adjudication. The claim will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and associated radiculopathy disabilities are not related to service, including his military activities.,Similarly, the right shoulder disability is also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or additional benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient efforts to obtain records from the Appellant's Reserve service and incomplete addendum opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and a new orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his chronic left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder condition has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for viral myocarditis condition with chest pain with radiation to the left shoulder from April 9, 2002 to December 30, 2010, and in excess of 60 percent from that date is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a notification of withdrawal from the appellant.