Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The cervical spine disability issue is pending adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative joint disease of the spine and shoulders, effectively preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and work background.

The Board finds that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and right shoulder rotator cuff tear are related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ankle with osteoarthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for ingrown toenails, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, or bilateral shoulder disabilities. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) are also found to be related to service. However, there is no evidence of cold injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because of his reported medical issues from a motorcycle accident.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and back disorder. The evidence now supports these claims as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 15, 2014 were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, residuals of right shoulder/arm injury, and an initial compensable rating for post-concussive syndrome. The claim for increased rating for a right eye disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with spondylolysis has been granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at the maximum allowable under DC 5201, resulting in a final rating of 40%.

The Veteran's request for an extension of the delimiting date beyond June 22, 2009 for Chapter 30 educational benefits was denied as there is no medical evidence to establish that pursuing a program of education due to physical or mental disabilities was medically infeasible.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, hypertension, heart disease, dyslexia, kidney disability, respiratory disability, and bilateral shoulder disability has been granted. He is also awarded special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder due to additional development of evidence, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete attempts at obtaining private medical records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his verified period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a separate left shoulder disability and that his current left shoulder pain is attributed to his service-connected cervical neck disability. Therefore, he cannot establish service connection for this condition.