Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of the appellant's left shoulder disability, including whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service or any incident therein.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, alcohol dependence, arthritis of the toes, and balance impairment and dizziness. The hearing loss claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds no reason to doubt the Veteran's credibility and concludes that he began experiencing ringing in his ears while in service, which continues to this day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome and bursitis, is not related to his period of active military service. The lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including the assignment of an initial disability evaluation for his left shoulder disability and a determination on whether he should be granted an increased rating for his right hip disability. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for a right hip disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder glenohumeral arthritis with impingement syndrome is rated at 50 percent since January 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis was granted an initial rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal is for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the disorders were not caused or aggravated by service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of addendum opinions to address his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service, and any current disabilities are not shown to be causally linked to his time in service.

The October 1971 rating decision did not assign a separate rating for the tender right clavicle scar, but it was already covered under the assigned rating.,The October 1971 rating decision also did not assign a separate rating for shell fragment injury to muscle group XX or muscle group XXI. The Veteran's representative argued that this omission should be considered CUE.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, bilateral arm and shoulder disorders are related to his service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure. The neurological disorders of both lower extremities, bilateral leg, knee, hip, and upper extremities are also found to be secondary to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a right shoulder disability in June 2012. The March 2016 VA examiner concluded that the appellant's right shoulder disorder was not incurred or aggravated by her periods of service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine arthritis and left shoulder disorder, finding no current diagnosed right shoulder disorder. The case is now remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and arrange a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, elbows, hands, feet, and neck was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hysterectomy residuals, left wrist arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various joint disorders, including arthritis of the shoulders, wrists, hands, knees, and ankles. The Board has determined that further investigation into his pre-existing conditions during military service is necessary.