Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right shoulder condition during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current right shoulder disability to service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 1, 2005 forward. The Board granted TDIU effective November 1, 2005.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from December 7, 2015; his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a supplemental examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no objective evidence of a chronic disability manifested by sinus symptoms resulting from an undiagnosed illness or from a medically unexplained multi-symptom illness. The Board found that the Veteran's present chronic sinusitis was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder gunshot wound residuals and limitation of motion, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or flare-ups.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease and a distal clavicle resection, has not resulted in limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level since February 17, 2010. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability warrants a 70 percent rating, and she meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the evidence is not sufficient to establish service connection for all of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is service connected, but his left shoulder disability cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran's neck and shoulder pain is presumed to be due to service in Southwest Asia, while his allergic rhinitis is not related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected conditions and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as his right shoulder disability has reportedly worsened since the last VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a right shoulder or right knee disorder during service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck disabilities are not related to service. The sleep apnea is also not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating.,There is no service connection for a left shoulder disability or low back disability. The Veteran's bilateral hand disability and eye disabilities are not service connected.,Hypertension and prostate disability have been denied as well.,The Veteran's tremors of the hands, lips, and mouth were also not granted service connection.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be related to her in-service motor vehicle accident, and she is granted service connection for a respiratory disability. The right shoulder strain with degenerative changes is also found to be related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities may warrant extraschedular consideration due to their impact on employment.