Shoulder decisions — 2016

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his service connection for shrapnel wound of the left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to Muscle Group III, finding that her disability picture more nearly approximates a moderate muscle injury. The claimant is not entitled to a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a moderately severe or severe muscle injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, a neck disability, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of the left shoulder disability during service.

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

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left shoulder disability. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for this examination may result in the denial of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current neurological disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder and right hand disabilities were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in active service or due to injury or disease incurred in active service.,The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disorders, attributing them to non-service-connected factors such as aging and normal wear and tear.

The Board has determined that further development is required due to missing treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and rotator cuff syndrome, will be evaluated based on the available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), and patellar chondromalacia of the left knee are all service-connected. The neurological disorder of the left shoulder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, lower back disability, bilateral ankle disability, IBS with residuals of a parasite infection, and headaches have already been granted by the AMC.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the right shoulder disability has been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for a right trapezius strain. The issue of neck disability is being remanded as it was not addressed in the original decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including bursitis, SLAP tear, and long head of biceps tendonitis, has been rated at 20 percent since the initial rating period. The Board finds that his symptoms have not significantly worsened beyond what is already reflected in the current rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to clarify whether any current left shoulder disability is related to service or due to or aggravated by a service-connected right ankle disability, including considering the Veteran's December 2007 accident.

The Veteran's service connection claim for disability due to undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses, including CFS and joint and muscle pain, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records and to provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The case is being remanded to schedule VA examinations and address the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and scar rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and finds that the Veteran's current back disability is less likely than not related to his military service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle arthritis and plantar fasciitis of the left foot are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune was denied. The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current liver condition and his in-service exposure.