Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right shoulder impingement is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurologic impairment of the left upper extremity is not a manifestation or caused by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint with rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, post-operative.

The Board has denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, head injury, and residuals of a bruise to the left arm due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran must also be scheduled for a new examination before service connection can be decided on the merits for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees, a lumbar spine condition, a cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (arms, shoulders, and fingers), and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's conditions are related to her time in military service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing via video conference has been granted, and the case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently evaluated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service.,As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he does not have any service-connected disabilities upon which to base this claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the minimum percentage requirements for award of a TDIU prior to June 15, 2012. His prostate and low back disabilities did not preclude obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability on an extraschedular basis, finding that the available schedular evaluations adequately described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) will also be considered.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and address the Veteran's right shoulder disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was found to be within normal limits on VA audiological testing. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are also pending.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by post-dislocation and degenerative joint disease, was found to not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned since July 26, 2005. A separate 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with infrequent episodes and guarding of movement was granted effective May 21, 2015.

The appeal is being remanded due to the failure to obtain the Veteran's VA Vocational Rehabilitation folder and for consideration of an extraschedular rating. The issues are whether the Veteran should receive a higher disability rating for his right shoulder disability and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is reopened, and he is granted a 10% rating for his left wrist disability since April 24, 2007. The Board also grants the Veteran TDIU based on service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shrapnel wound residuals and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine are being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board in their denial of the claims.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating up to September 1, 2009 for convalescence following the February 24, 2009, right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's request for an extension beyond this period is referred to appropriate personnel.