Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right shoulder strain. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee condition, and left wrist condition (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder osteoarthritis is less likely as not caused by or a result of his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent since May 20, 2014. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation, nor are they causally related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that there is no evidence of chronicity of these conditions post-service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current left shoulder disorder or vision disorder other than refractive error. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any in-service injury to his left shoulder, and the private medical records are silent for any current disability related to his fall during service. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a new examination and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of dislocated left shoulder and residuals of broken ribs, finding that the Veteran's statements concerning his combat injuries are consistent with his service. The claim for cuts on the left foot, hands, and face is denied as there is no competent evidence of current fungal infections in the ears.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities caused or contributed to his increased frequency of falls, which led to a hip replacement and subsequent infections. The Board finds that the service-connected conditions are the principal cause of death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities. The Board has determined that further development, including a VA examination, is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and low back disorder are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active duty.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder (rotator cuff tendonitis), bilateral foot disorders (hammer toes, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, pes cavus), and low back disorder (DJD of the lumbar spine) is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and DJD of the AC joint have been rated at a 10 percent rating since May 12, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was January 31, 2011.,VA regulations do not allow for an earlier effective date for hepatitis B as it did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation prior to January 31, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left shoulder conditions did not have onset in, or were caused by his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder subacromial bursitis with left medial scapular and upper trapezius myofascial ligamentous strain was rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The duodenal ulcer was rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a right shoulder injury are related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability and obtain any outstanding treatment records.