Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective February 16, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia is currently rated at 0 percent.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder conditions are found to be related to service, warranting the grant of service connection for both.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was not addressed. The Board found that the current schedular criteria were adequate to rate the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability at all pertinent points.

The Board has received notification from the appellant's representative that they wish to withdraw their appeal on all issues, including service connection for left shoulder disorder, back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability or right shoulder disability incurred in service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on ankylosis or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling, and his MDD is currently evaluated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.,The Veteran contends that he experiences constant pain and is incapable of performing movements that require lifting overhead. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not show that his left shoulder motion is limited to 25 degrees from the side as required for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently employed and able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective May 23, 2006. The TDIU claim is granted from May 23, 2006 to August 13, 2007 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a local hearing at the regional office.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back, left knee, right knee, bilateral shoulder, and neck disabilities due to new evidence received since the final denial in September 2011. The appellant's current disabilities are considered to be related to his parachute jumps during active service.,Affording the appellant the benefit of doubt, the Board finds that each of the appellant's claimed disabilities (back, left knee, right knee, bilateral shoulder, and neck) were caused by his parachute jumps during active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right hand arthritis and right shoulder impingement disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining treatment records from the Jackson VA Medical Center since 2009. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated.

The Board has found that the Veteran's TMJ disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left arm disability (specifically the left shoulder) remains in dispute.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be connected to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder conditions based on a presumption of exposure to contaminated water.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and left foot disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right shoulder disorder, as well as additional development in connection with the Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ after completion of these actions.