Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, migraines, and other conditions have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and determining the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee and shoulder disabilities, and right hand neuropathy.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a seizure disorder, memory loss, or left shoulder disability was incurred in service or related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability was denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for left shoulder, upper back, and right great toe disabilities.,Service connection for an upper back disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence of a chronic disability at the time of the April 2003 rating decision.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, thigh, low back, and hip disabilities. The case is being remanded to allow for a thorough review of VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders, including arthritis of the left shoulder and strain of the right shoulder, were not incurred in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by an orthopedic specialist to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran's hammertoe of the right second toe is related to service.,The Veteran's shoulder and knee disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claimed bladder or bowel dysfunction is not related to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a torn rotator cuff and DJD, did not manifest within one year of service and is not causally related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is currently assigned a 20 percent rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder and spine conditions has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the current psychiatric disorders are causally related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in an impairment of his ability to retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The evidence shows that a MBA degree is necessary for the Veteran to remain employed at his current position.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not permit vocational rehabilitation training or lead to successful employment, and the necessary steps towards receiving Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation benefits have not been taken.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left clavicle/shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder disability and cubital syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding his left shoulder condition and a TDIU claim.