Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims were denied as he did not report for scheduled VA examinations, and the claims are therefore denied as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from VA facilities and any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder. The right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent prior to May 13, 2013, and 40 percent thereafter. The scar on the knee is not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are not related to his service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder disability were evaluated, with the majority of issues denied. The lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent, while the right shoulder disability received separate ratings for subluxation (30%) and limitation of motion (10%).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 80% disability rating for his right shoulder disability was denied as the earliest date of pending claim is April 23, 2012. The Board found that assignment of an effective date during the 1 year prior to the date of claim is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, neck, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The residuals of a head injury claim is denied as well.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extra-schedular considerations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or extra-schedular consideration for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities are not service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of degenerative changes in the right shoulder, but there is no evidence linking this condition to his military service.,For his back disability, the Veteran has multiple degenerative changes and other conditions, including mild disc space narrowing at L5-S1, osteopenia, and atherosclerotic calcification. However, there is no evidence of any injury or chronic condition in service that could be linked to these current findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated in service nor was it secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not manifested by limitation of motion to 25 degrees or less from the side, ankylosis, impairment of the humerus, or impairment of the clavicle and scapula. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, back, or right hip disabilities to his service. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as arthritis, preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the current VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder conditions are related to his service, including combat injuries. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to this decision.

The Veteran's neck condition manifested in service and is attributable to service. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a grant of service connection for a neck condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, but finds that new and material evidence does not establish that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service. Therefore, he is denied service connection.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart disability, and any complaints of chest pain are related to stress rather than a cardiac condition.,The Veteran's subclinical hypothyroidism did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current otitis media and neck and shoulder injury are not related to his active service. The claim for entitlement to service connection for these conditions is denied.