Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right shoulder disorder, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was reopened. However, the claim for left shoulder tendonitis remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private clinical documentation.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for an examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran's left shoulder gunshot wound residuals could significantly limit functional ability during flare-ups, and if so, what the degree of additional range of motion loss is due to pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The issue of an extraschedular rating for his right shoulder disability will also be considered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2010 and 100 percent thereafter, is granted. The effective date of the increased rating remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional clarification and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request to withdraw the appeal during a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability, right hip and left hip disabilities, residuals of fracture of right femur with scar, muscle herniation and femur shortening, and moderate knee disability, or painful motion of the right shoulder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left foot, and left lower leg disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claim for increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability was granted. The claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability remains denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the low back disability since May 12, 2014. The Veteran was also granted TDIU effective June 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted and issues needing clarification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis in both shoulders is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to February 26, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD during the July 2015 hearing. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder is manifested by pain and functional impairment that more nearly approximates the criteria of motion limited to shoulder level, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim was remanded to obtain additional development but the issues were again denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder condition and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.