Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gunshot wound residuals and scar.

The Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain an adequate opinion addressing the pertinent medical questions based on all of the evidence and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion to address service treatment records, continuity of symptoms, and the significance of the Veteran's post-service injury.

The Board found the Veteran's right shoulder and left hip disabilities do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The Veteran's left index finger disability was rated compensably.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and it is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection for right shoulder disability is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm condition, including his left hand, wrist, and shoulder, is not related to a period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and low back disabilities, including arthritis, were not incurred in service or due to radiation exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability and associated surgical scar, as well as SMC based on aid and attendance, is May 13, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's thoracic and left shoulder disabilities are not related to her service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records from the Naval Hospital Occupational Medicine Clinic at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis and internal derangement. The claim for a separate rating for left knee instability prior to January 4, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, including a right humerus fracture and related conditions, as of January 4, 2012.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The other diagnosed conditions are also considered unrelated to service.,For the period prior to July 11, 2012, the Veteran's tension headaches were rated at 10 percent based on their frequency and severity.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular dislocation, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5203.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and PTSD. The Board no longer has jurisdiction to consider these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied due to failure to report for a VA examination. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection of his left shoulder disability as there is no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation, and the current condition is not linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder joint, satisfied with a 20% rating effective March 11, 2016.