Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's pre-induction medical examination indicated normal upper extremities, and he reported no painful or 'trick' shoulder in his April 1969 pre-separation report of medical history. His separation examination also indicated normal upper extremities. However, the Veteran contends that he broke his collar bone and tore shoulder ligaments during a mortar attack while stationed in Vietnam, which resulted in a right shoulder disability. The Board will seek to verify this account and determine if there is evidence linking the current right shoulder disability to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities in compliance with Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, with limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level, is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201. No higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a right shoulder injury, status post-surgery, prior to January 8, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent since January 8, 2014, excluding the period from September 29, 2015, to November 1, 2015, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the relationship between her current disabilities and service, including her period of active duty training in January 2008.

The Board found the Veteran's left shoulder disability not related to service, including an in-service injury while closing a hatch. The most probative evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current disability and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's neck disorder, but the status of his left shoulder disorder remains unknown.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis and left shoulder dislocation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of the nature and severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is not related to service, as there was no diagnosis of arthritis until many years after separation from service.,The Veteran's current right foot and ankle conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disorder. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the current left shoulder condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to Agent Orange exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many of the claimed conditions and did not find a link between any condition and active military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, which the Board finds is service-connected due to exposure to silica fibers in service. The claims for accrued benefits based on pending claims for service connection for various conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for disabilities of the right shoulder, right wrist, left knee, bilateral knees, and cervical spine has been granted. The issues have been remanded to obtain any additional VA treatment records and determine if a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right testicular/groin disability, right leg disability, or lumbosacral spine disability. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, headaches, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) preclude the Veteran from caring for some of his daily personal needs such as taking his medications, bathing, and preparing his meals without the regular assistance of another person and he needed assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards and dangers in the daily environment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, including for ischemic heart disease presumed related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The left shoulder disorder was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction was also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed as the issue is related to a different claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to service connection. The RO granted service connection for a low back disability, GERD, right fifth finger disability, and hemorrhoids but did not grant the requested service connection for other conditions.