Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss and denied the claim for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of probative evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's residuals of gunshot wound, left shoulder, back, and chest area are rated at the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5302. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis and tendonitis of the left shoulder do not render him unemployable. The VA examiner found that his disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative disease, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to its manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder and right knee disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple knee, toe, elbow, and shoulder disorders. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and right shoulder disorder did not manifest within one year of service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The appellant withdrew her appeals for the claims of service connection for left knee chondromalacia with a history of left meniscectomy, low back strain and degenerative disc disease as secondary to the left knee disorder, chloracne on the back, shoulders, and lower abdomen, and hearing loss in the left ear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder disability and her service-connected cervical spine disability or right arm radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD and his bilateral shoulder disability. His neck, upper back, hand, knee, and ankle disabilities are not related to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and heart disability are service-connected, with no issues regarding rating or effective dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The disability is also not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's prostate disorder was not related to service, and there is no evidence of osteoarthritis or peripheral neuropathy. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and migraines are related to service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability for service connection purposes and denied his claim. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the right foot is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, or left shoulder disability related to service. The skin disorder claim is also denied as there is no evidence of a current condition.