Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA pension benefits was not properly created due to VA's fault, and thus the appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and an addendum opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hoarseness, sore throats, eye disability, right shoulder disorder, and low back disorder are all granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 15, 2016. For the period from January 15, 2016, he is not eligible for schedular TDIU but may be eligible for extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by limitation of motion to shoulder level, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee replacement residuals are related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted. However, there is no evidence linking any current left shoulder disability to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left shoulder disabilities was granted, with a 20 percent rating maintained for both conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative joint disease and entitlement to TDIU prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations for his service-connected conditions, and determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability did not begin in service and is not related to his active duty. However, it arose within one year of his separation from service.,The Veteran was hospitalized for a kidney stone in October 1989, which he reported as occurring during service. The condition manifested to a compensable degree within the first year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing and to schedule it. The Veteran's claims of right shoulder strain and obstructive sleep apnea are still under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, rated as 10 percent disabling, is now evaluated at 20 percent due to limitation of motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand, leg, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, and hip disability due to cold injury.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since December 10, 2015, with a prior rating of 30% before that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed right hip piriformis syndrome, right leg neuropathy, right shoulder strain and AC joint arthritis, as well as his right wrist/arm disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, right arm neuropathy).