Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, healed fracture of the left radius and ulna, and scars have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or showing they are related to any in-service injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, fatigue (claimed as due to chronic fatigue syndrome or undiagnosed illness), respiratory disorder (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness), depressive disorder, NOS, and diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including arthritis, did not manifest in service or within one year of separation and is not otherwise attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder condition is not attributable to his active duty service or any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his in-service head injuries and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify diagnoses and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective May 27, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating for the period from June 1, 2010 to May 27, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his service, including exposure to cold weather. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for headache disorder and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing on October 15, 2015. The issues include service connection for right knee disability, residuals of fractured fibula (claimed as secondary), and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from May 5, 2009 to July 25, 2013. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depression and other psychiatric disorders, have caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation as of September 11, 2011.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated based on limitation of motion, with the initial rating prior to March 21, 2011 being 10 percent and increased to 30 percent after that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and examinations related to her psychiatric disability, left shoulder and right knee disabilities, left ear hearing loss, and foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service connected, and a VA examination was ordered to address his bilateral shoulder disability. The claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.