Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration resulted in pain and limited motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his arm raise was not limited to shoulder level or 90 degrees.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee pain and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's other claims for joint pain, brain tumor, shoulder condition, and heart condition are not addressed as they are combined with the reopening of the knee pain claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine, as well as his claims to reopen his chronic back disability and right knee disability. The decision is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2008. Effective January 7, 2008, the right shoulder disability alone met the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent from February 5, 2010 to March 15, 2010 and from October 1, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation were met under Diagnostic Codes 5200-5203.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues are whether he should receive a compensable rating prior to November 17, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his right shoulder disability, and whether he is entitled to service connection for a left hip disorder as secondary to his right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disorder that is etiologically linked to active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, and a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right leg disorder separate and distinct from his service-connected right knee disorder. The hip and shoulder disorders were also not shown to be related to service or secondary to the service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right thumb laceration and remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence received since the last decision. The Veteran's claim for bilateral shoulder disorder, neck/upper back disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a right knee examination, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case regarding service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist drop, right hand weakness, and right shoulder weakness are related to his service. The Veteran's right arm disability is also considered secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left hand gunshot wound, residuals of a left shoulder gunshot wound, and COPD have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right shoulder disability, but the X-ray report is missing. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral arm condition, including as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of diagnoses.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PCOS is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.