Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it was aggravated by his military service. The right shoulder disability and chronic laryngitis/laryngopharyngeal reflux (claimed as sinus problems) are not service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for ingrown toenail, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence received since the final denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for total right shoulder replacement, total left shoulder replacement, and a skin disability were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or exposure to herbicides/asbestos. The Board found that the current diagnoses did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since January 16, 2014. The current rating is appropriate as the evidence shows limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Osteoarthritis is also not presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has restored service connection for hypertension and granted a 10% rating, effective from the date of severance. The Veteran's right shoulder condition is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examinations, as well as the need to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and obtain VA examinations addressing the Veteran's left shoulder condition, low back condition, knee conditions, and bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records. The issues include seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability and determining if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, prior to and post total arthroplasty, did not result in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or severe, painful motion. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's right shoulder SLAP tear is related to active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, left shoulder, and left elbow DJD. The appeal was also dismissed regarding entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left leg shrapnel residuals, including a left ankle condition and left big toe condition, are not related to his military service.,His right shoulder condition is not related to his military service. The Veteran has no credible evidence of such an association.,The Veteran's headaches have not been shown to be either a chronic disability or etiologically related to military service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was not present until many years after service and is not related to his military service.,His right knee condition has not been shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including residuals of fistula surgery and osteoarthritis, as well as his skin disorder (including seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis), are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as right shoulder strain, was evaluated by VA and found to warrant a 20 percent rating. The examination revealed limited motion but no ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and hearing loss of the left ear.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are considered direct service connections.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are related to his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left shoulder disability has been withdrawn. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU prior to January 28, 2011, were not met.