Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and need for clarification on service connection issues.

The Veteran's left shoulder scars are painful, but do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a right elbow injury in service and the Veteran's assertions were not credible. The Board concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for a right elbow disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased the rating for anxiety disorder with PTSD to 70 percent. The Veteran's claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder strain has been denied as her condition does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his current left shoulder disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and is not etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no current right shoulder disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper (thoracic) back, lower back, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are related to his military service. As a result, the appeal for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to notify him of his scheduled video hearing. A new hearing will be arranged at a location near his current address.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his prostate cancer, hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, sleep disorder, arthritis, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is less likely than not related to an in-service injury and was not diagnosed within one year of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and a right foot disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the reduction of the disability rating for pes planus with hammertoes and callosities from 50% to 20%, finding that it was not supported by evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a social and industrial survey to assess his combined impact of service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending Travel Board hearing request and will schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a delay in hearing, and now needs to schedule a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including arthritis, is not service-connected as it was neither incurred nor aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation counseling folder.