Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot/toe disabilities, right hip disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left nephrectomy with scar. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 14, 2013. The rating is based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA eligibility are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, but dismissed the remaining claims.

For the periods from May 13, 2009 to March 17, 2010, and from June 17, 2010 to July 28, 2015, the service-connected right shoulder disability resulted in recurrent dislocation with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements, painful motion, and weakness. The Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 4.71a.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current mild degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spider veins were incurred during military service and is granting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent, with a separate rating of 10 percent for neurological symptoms. The right shoulder disability was initially denied but later granted as 30 percent disabling effective October 27, 2009. The left leg disability remains at 20 percent.

For the period prior to February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated as 10% disabling and his low back strain as 10% disabling.,Beginning February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated at 20% and his low back strain remained at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder dislocations and subluxations are currently rated as 10% prior to February 6, 2015 and 20% beginning that date. His low back strain remains at 10% since the initial grant of service connection in August 2008.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not entitled to a higher rating based on its current manifestations, as it does not meet the criteria for nonunion of the clavicle with loose movement or dislocation of the clavicle. The low back strain remains at 10% since August 2008.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a fractured fibula claimed as secondary to a right knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2009.

The Veteran's headaches, neck condition, and shoulder condition are found to be related to his service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on all three issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and left arm disability that he contends are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will provide further examination and opinion on these issues.,The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will provide further examination and opinion on the severity of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2011 for the grant of service connection for left shoulder impingement was denied. The claim was reopened and granted on that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since October 27, 2012.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not originate in service or until many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, bilateral knee, and toe disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during her military service or within one year of separation. The gynecological disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder disorder and left arm disorder involving numbness in the arm and hand.