Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and low back disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or for many years after separation. The medical opinions provided have been both positive and negative regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, right hip, bilateral shoulder, and headache disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical myofascial syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the service connection claim and addressing the TDIU claim.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, as well as the competent and credible evidence of record being at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for authorization of VA special mode transportation benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a medical opinion regarding whether he needs specialized transportation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current shoulder disabilities, which he claims are the result of falls in 2008. The Board finds insufficient evidence to determine if his posttraumatic vestibulopathy with vertigo caused or aggravated these falls and therefore remands for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are not granted. The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is also denied.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder separation with tendonitis was permanently aggravated by military service, and the Board granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he received proper notice of a VA examination and for other indicated development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder and/or left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from April 8, 2017. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hepatitis (claimed as liver disorder), lung disorder, heart disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. Both disabilities are not found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral hip disabilities are not etiologically related to his active duty service. The respiratory condition is not presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange, but may be service-connected on a direct basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disability and a compensable rating for his left wrist scar, as the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's cause of death is service-connected due to the prescribed medications for his service-connected disabilities causing multiple drug toxicity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes, as they are currently rated at 20 percent for each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, chronic right arm rotator cuff disability, degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome contributed substantially in bringing about his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.