Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, residuals of a deviated nasal septum (withdrawn), left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board is also remanding the claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee, hip, shoulder, and low back disorders are related to his in-service femur fractures.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not due to VA care, treatment or examination and therefore does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder, hand, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examination reports. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and any diagnosed chronic right shoulder disability. The issue of benefits under Chapter 18 for spina bifida will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not granted a compensable evaluation for his erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability, finding no current disabilities meet VA standards. Service connection was also not granted as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right elbow, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 5, 2013 were rated at a combined 90 percent. Considering the totality of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work, these disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including adhesive capsulitis and partial rotator cuff tear, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to address his right shoulder bursitis, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis with referred pain to shoulder and right arm. The issue of whether service connection is warranted remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 8, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to this date.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the procurement of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted effective March 24, 2003. The earlier date of March 24, 2003 is established as the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right elbow disability and increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability was denied. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis was granted with a 0% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence submitted by him and a need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition present at separation from service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.