Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 9, 2005. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent is appropriate given the Veteran's range of motion measurements and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis and tendonitis are aggravated by his left shoulder injury, status post distal clavicle resection with degenerative joint disease. As such, secondary service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's complaints of joint and muscle pain have been diagnosed as arthritis of the right shoulder, right knee, and left foot. These conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge from service, and has not been related by competent evidence to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from Reserve service and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any cervical spine, left shoulder, or thoracic spine disability is related to Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and injuries from gunshot wounds to his left thigh and shoulder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 9, 2005. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right fourth metacarpal fracture was also denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder).

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claims for service connection. The hip, shoulder, and foot drop disabilities were also denied as secondary to a pre-existing low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder conditions, diagnosed as degenerative changes and adhesive capsulitis, are related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, but granted service connection for bilateral ulnar neuropathy (CTS or CTS) as the Veteran currently has a disability manifested by the same symptoms of bilateral hand pain and decreased dexterity that were manifested during service. The other issues remained in denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted from January 12, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and right knee disability, finding that these disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment as of June 16, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims for increased ratings for left shoulder and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for residuals of a Bristow procedure for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder was denied. His TDIU claim due exclusively to service-connected residuals of a Bristow procedure for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder and left shoulder glenohumeral dislocation, including on an extraschedular basis, was also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since the onset of his service-connected condition. Effective November 17, 2009, and continuing to August 5, 2010, a temporary total evaluation was granted due to hospitalization for his shoulder condition. Since then, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition improved, warranting a reduction from 20% to 10%. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, as well as to determine if he has a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful.