Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the causes of his death were determined to be chronic respiratory failure due to COPD, shoulder muscle injury, chest muscle impairment, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, bilateral shoulder, upper extremity neurological disabilities (neuropathy), and lower extremity neurological disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including hypertension and several musculoskeletal conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension or establish service connection for other claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a ventral hernia. The remaining claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder bursitis and arthritis, chronic lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a right shoulder contusion or dislocation and granted service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, skin condition, and left ear hearing loss are not related to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and asthma have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for a low back disability, claimed as low back pain, and a right shoulder strain.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis, impingement syndrome, and degenerative tear of the rotator cuff, did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between his active duty service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities and his active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is also referred to VA's Director of C&P Service for consideration of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The issue of whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his in-service injury will be addressed at a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues include initial disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a clarification of whether ankylosis is present in the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining all outstanding VA and private medical records.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, arthritis of both hands, and bilateral eye disorders including glaucoma were not incurred or aggravated in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to service or any incident of service, but his current left hand disability is service-connected. The Veteran's left shoulder and arm disorders are secondary to his service-connected left hand disability.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective January 1, 2002, due to his service-connected left shoulder disability.