Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, as there was no ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. His arthritis in hands claim was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's claims for Raynaud's syndrome and chronic sleep disorder were not supported by the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information regarding any workman's compensation claim related to a left shoulder injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address his right shoulder condition and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and hip disabilities, left shoulder disability, and lower left eyelid scar were not granted. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a left shoulder scar with a compensable rating (0-10%).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 31, 2009 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to outstanding records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete rationale in a previous VA examination and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his left shoulder disability and elevated left hemidiaphragm.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address whether her conditions are due to a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain post-service treatment records and military retiree records.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability, right inguinal hernia, and hyperactive bladder with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's abdominal pain, including renal stones and hernia, fatigue, hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, and skin pigmentation change are not shown to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection for depression has been granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from March 7, 2011. The appellant is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for right shoulder tendonitis was denied as there is no evidence of worsening during the one-year period prior to May 17, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for left wrist, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral arm disabilities, as well as for a disability manifested by right-sided weakness (all claimed as secondary to MS), as they are moot due to the grant of service connection for neuropathy of both upper extremities. The claim of service connection for residuals of right wrist injury is being REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and left elbow disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 17, 1964 for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied based on this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery required convalescence for a three-month period, and he is now entitled to a temporary total rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.