Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a neurological disability of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral shoulder disability (arthritis), and bilateral knee disability (arthritis) are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to Agent Orange that could establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right shoulder condition and service connection for bilateral knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or service connection based on secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran does not have established right ulnar or shoulder disability, and the Board finds no evidence of such disabilities during service. Right wrist CTS is established.,Right cervical spine disability has not been established as incurred in service.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, which is considered a full grant of the benefits sought on appeal regarding PTSD. The other issues were not addressed as they are no longer in dispute due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and neck disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to pain and limited motion reaching shoulder level. The schizoaffective disorder remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee or right shoulder disorder, and thus the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's military service for his left shoulder, sleep apnea, or arthritis other than osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The claims for right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the right knee. The evidence submitted did not demonstrate that these conditions began in or were caused by military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis. The Veteran's left shoulder disability and PTSD remain under review.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 5, 2011. The rating is based on the functional limitations and pain experienced by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, bilateral glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, and bilateral acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis do not support his claim for service connection. The Board also determined that there is no evidence to suggest a secondary relationship between the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and his shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, nerve condition in the left arm to include in the left wrist, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the October 2015 opinion. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being evaluated to determine if it was permanently worsened by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist arthritis and denied service connection for residuals of a human bite to the right hand/wrist, including HIV, as well as left shoulder disorder. The cervical spine disorder claim is not before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the record and outstanding VA clinical records.