Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right knee disability, and his left carpal tunnel syndrome and left shoulder impingement syndrome are less likely than not related to service. The Board finds no evidence of permanent worsening of the preexisting left knee condition during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability (prior to March 2, 2010 and from July 1, 2010) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing the appeal. The claim for a TDIU rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder recurrent dislocations and arthritis was granted by the RO in April 2013 with an effective date of December 10, 2012. The grant is based on aggravation beyond natural progression due to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or PTSD due to service, and his claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and therefore service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's nerve and muscle disorder of the right upper extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's scar associated with his right upper chest/shoulder stab wound has been assigned a noncompensable rating, but an initial 10 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no direct evidence of these conditions during his active service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and a neck disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide supplemental opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as well. The examiner must convert the audiometric test results from ASA to ISO units, discuss the significance of changes in auditory thresholds shown in 1960, 1963 and 1964 when converted to ISO units, and address the likelihood that in-service noise exposure caused chronic hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is being remanded as well. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed neck disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed lumbar spine disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, to include as due to a neck disorder and/or fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC) is being remanded. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed left shoulder disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC) prior to January 13, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed fracture residuals were caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist ganglion cyst, hemorrhoids, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, a left hip disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to December 1, 2009 and increased to 70 percent thereafter.,Right Shoulder Disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to December 1, 2009 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it is rated at 30 percent, which is below the required percentage of 60%.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left 5th finger arthritis, left 2nd finger arthritis, and left 3rd finger arthritis. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's nerve and muscle disorder of the right upper extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's scar associated with the right upper chest/shoulder stab wound has been assigned a noncompensable rating, but an initial compensable rating of 10% is granted.