Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder disability in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, and back disabilities are not service-connected. Early onset peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, depressive disorder, joint pain in shoulders, left hip, and left knee, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or nevus, and toe joint disorders. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim for right hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disability did not manifest during service, within a year of separation from service, or is otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the effective date assigned for the grant of service connection for a fracture of the right distal tibia. The Veteran's claims are not fully resolved.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left shoulder supraspinatus tendinosis and right shoulder DJD have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder and denied service connection for both right shoulder and cervical spine disorders, finding no evidence of onset during active service or causation by service-connected TMJ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, as well as whether it is secondary to his service-connected left elbow, wrist, and/or hand disabilities. The AOJ should also obtain updated treatment records and provide VCAA notice.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to September 10, 2015. From that date forward, the rating has been found not to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran claims his current right shoulder disability is due to an injury in service. The case has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining STRs from a medical facility in Victoria, Texas.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder bursitis/tendonitis resulted in limitation of motion to the shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating for each side.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder disability and post-surgical scar are being remanded to allow for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, claimed as degenerative joint disease with acromioclavicular joint separation of the left shoulder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to military service.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, with a current combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, and further examination is needed as the Veteran is currently incarcerated.

The Veteran's left knee DJD, right shoulder disability (including DJD), and left foot disability are all found to be service-connected. The initial compensable rating for residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted, while the claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability prior to September 26, 2014 and from that date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder impingement were incurred during his active duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis B disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 1, 2016. The Veteran is immune to Hepatitis B and does not have daily fatigue, malaise, or anorexia with minor weight loss and hepatomegaly.