Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left shoulder traumatic arthritis is found to be incurred during service, as evidenced by his in-service diagnosis of subacromial bursitis and subsequent treatment for similar symptoms post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left shoulder disorder is not related to any in-service injury, disease or event and therefore denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for cervical spondylosis, but denied the claim for a right shoulder disability. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to herbicide exposure, are being considered based on the submission of new and material evidence. The decision is mixed as some claims have been reopened while others remain denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right shoulder impingement, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claims for lumbar stenosis with degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes to the cervical spine are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain with bursitis, and enlarged prostate, are found to be so severe that they preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with prior directives.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 27, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral knee disability and left shoulder disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increase ratings on the issues of left hand weakness, left wrist fracture residuals, left shoulder DJD residuals and left hip arthritis prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is due to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for heart disease is dismissed. The Veteran does not have any current eye disorders or right third finger disabilities related to service, and there is no causal relationship between his bilateral eye disorders and service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under DC 5201. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms most closely approximate limitation of motion to shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since April 4, 2016. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including arthritis and bursitis. The condition is presumed to have developed post-service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating from August 8, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.