Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination for his left knee disability and issuing supplemental statements of the case addressing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, effective May 7, 2005. The Board has determined that the current ratings are not in accordance with the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, in-service psychiatric records, and further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. An initial 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of a testicle injury beginning May 13, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral shoulder injuries are remanded for additional examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is found to be incurred during service, and he is granted service connection for a disorder of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, plantar warts, lumbar and cervical spine DJD, hip and shoulder DJD, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective July 21, 2014. The appeal is denied prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirement for assignment of a TDIU and he is reasonably shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation as a result of these disabilities. The claim for increase in left shoulder disability remains pending.

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

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 31, 2009. The Veteran's right shoulder scar has been rated at 10 percent effective from August 19, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, as well as migraine headaches. The Veteran's current rating is a 10% disability for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings prior to November 1, 2012 were denied as his right leg radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The left and right shoulder disabilities are presumed to have been caused by a pre-existing condition, while the bilateral foot disability is considered to be unrelated to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, lower respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disability, and headache disability. The appeals were remanded multiple times but ultimately denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was not timely filed, as it was received after the July 31st deadline. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to clothing allowances for 2004 through 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The claims for an extraschedular disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder osteoarthritis with biceps tendonitis, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder tendonitis and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. Service connection is not granted for left shoulder and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of this claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran's character of discharge from April 14, 2006, to October 27, 2009, is no longer considered a bar to VA benefits.