Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these developments.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been manifested by pain and other symptoms resulting in motion limited to approximately the shoulder level since the effective date of service connection, warranting an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, effective December 1, 2009. The earlier effective date for TDIU rating has been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to September 26, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.,Effective September 26, 2013, the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are considered to be of a 'direct' service connection type.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for left lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff tear, is found to be secondary to his service-connected left leg and left foot disabilities. His pes planus of the left foot has been rated at 20 percent since November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's low back disability is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during active duty for training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination and because additional medical records are needed.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for his service-connected bilateral shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was granted compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hands, as well as initial ratings of 10 percent each for his elbows and wrists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder SLAP tear and resulting impingement are not related to his service-connected acromioclavicular joint arthritis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis is denied, as it predates the earliest date of claim. The Board also found that a higher disability rating for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, splenectomy, collapsed lung, left shoulder disorder, pelvis fracture, nerve damage of the neck, and nerve damage of the right hip. The decision found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these disorders and her military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, rheumatoid factor, and heart disorder effective from September 9, 2010. The claims were based on the Veteran's statements of having these conditions since at least 1992.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder injury during service and concluded that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is not related to service, but rather to a post-service work injury.,There is no evidence linking the current left hip pain to any period of service. The Veteran's current left hip pain is more likely due to smoking and obesity.