Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 10, 2013. His lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hepatitis C, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and an increased evaluation for PTSD are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing on all issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disorders, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder tendonitis, bilateral thumb arthritis, right hip tendonitis/right SI joint arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disabilities. The case will be reconsidered in light of Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities would be aggravated by work as a small engine mechanic. The appeal is now pending for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for residuals, post-operative right shoulder SLAP labral tear (dominant) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity disability, thoracic spine disability, and left shoulder disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not show a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the issues of service connection for right shoulder, elbow, upper back, and lower back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination of his psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right shoulder or right knee disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and bilateral hip condition. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active service.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 26, 2007 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's original claim was pending until July 2012 when it was finally adjudicated and granted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer any additional disability in his right shoulder as a result of treatment at the VAMC in July 1999, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a left ankle rating was denied as there is no indication of the Veteran's intent to file a claim prior to January 2010.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability due to the need for additional development and examination. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private medical records, and he will be scheduled for a VA examination.