Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for fibrocystic breast disease, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hand disability, and right elbow disability have been granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Anxiety Disorder, NOS with subclinical features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety, and Depressive Disorder, NOS, is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for his back, wrists, and shoulders conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right rotator cuff disability, sleep apnea, colon polyps, chloracne (claimed as skin disability), and right shoulder lipoma were denied. The Veteran's claim for insomnia was granted due to its association with service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His claim for right shoulder disability is pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his representative in October 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders are secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar sprain, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder strain with arthritis, and left shoulder sprain with arthritis are related to service. The Board also found no evidence of a cardiovascular disability or hypertension with shortness of breath during service or within one year following discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine conditions are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that the July 1979 and April 1980 rating decisions denying service connection for anxiety reaction and schizophrenia contained CUE. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is now considered to be related to his service-connected right wrist disability, as evidenced by new evidence submitted since the August 1995 rating decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and verify the Veteran's dates of active duty, as well as VA medical records. The claims will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The TDIU issue is remanded as it requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right wrist disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, mild degenerative facet joints with chronic low back strain, and bilateral knee strain are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for her thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or right shoulder disorders as secondary to her service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is denied.