Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left shoulder or right knee disabilities, and his claim for presbyopia is denied as it is considered a congenital defect.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more recent VA examination to determine the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and left knee disability are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 20 percent, since July 3, 2008, for hemorrhoids has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran had recurrent internal and external hemorrhoids, required prescription medication, had a narrow anal-rectal ring, a papilloma/polyp, a skin tag, chronic anorectal fissure/ulcer, persistent pain, complication prolapse, and underwent resection and associated skin tag and open lateral internal sphincterotomy. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Raynaud's Syndrome and a right shoulder disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and left foot conditions were granted initial compensable ratings, while her right shoulder scars and right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spurs received the same initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate notice of a scheduled compensation examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 7, 2014, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be aggravated by service, and his current psychiatric disability is related to service.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability and a psychiatric disability are both granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability and bilateral knee condition. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for right arm, right shoulder, and neck disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence does not show a relationship between any current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of April 24, 2012 for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also entitled to an effective date of April 24, 2012 for DEA benefits as he was granted a total disability rating on that same date.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a 20% rating effective March 23, 2015. The Board found that the evidence showed entitlement to this rating prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and arch disability were not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle condition. The conditions are considered secondary to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, and chest disorders are related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Substantive Appeal for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was timely filed, and therefore grants this portion of his appeal. The claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability are being remanded to further develop the record.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating for convalescence following left shoulder surgery is granted from December 1, 2012 to February 3, 2013.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, following a hemiarthroplasty in May 2011, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,His current rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20% due to the absence of a regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is related to an injury sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.