Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was shown in service and continues to the present day, meeting the criteria for service connection. The Board finds that his back injury and left shoulder disability are related to service, while a right hip scar is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 50% initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran's right foot disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his hypertension is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is rated at 20 percent, effective December 1, 2006. Service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disability are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, memory loss, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headaches, cognitive impairment, dizziness and poor balance, tinnitus, heart disorder, splenomegaly, diffuse myelitis, organic disease of the nervous system (to include chronic pain), and radial neuropathies of the feet and hands were denied as these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested as a scar behind the right ear. However, he is entitled to service connection for burn scars of the back, shoulders, and hips due to an in-service injury incurred during ACDUTRA.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder and granted it. The Veteran's headaches have also been found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran does not have a current right or left shoulder disability, and the Board finds that his claimed shoulder pain is not related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 40% prior to July 17, 2014 and restored to a 20% rating from that date. The facial scars are not service-connected.

The Veteran's current AC joint arthrosis of his right shoulder status post Mumford repair with residuals had onset during his active service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50% for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiological opinions in the VA examination reports and for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is proximately due to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claims for service connection for a right wrist and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions.