Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus was granted. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia is etiologically related to his active duty service, and granted service connection for this condition. The status of service connection for multiple joint arthritis (excluding bilateral shoulder arthritis) remains unknown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine musculoskeletal disabilities are not related to his service or the service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder instability warrants a disability rating of 30 percent effective January 13, 2016, and no higher.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability in service or for many years after service, and the current diagnoses are not related to service. The Veteran's lay testimony is insufficient to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing with the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition and the STRs only show complaints and treatment related to shoulder pain, without any diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of fracture of right radial head and diagnosis and etiology of a right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for numbness in the left hand and fingers, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, numbness in the left leg, frostbite of the feet, and abdominal disability all claimed as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left shoulder disability and that any such disabilities are less likely related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the right shoulder, finding that it resulted from treatment received at a VA medical facility in April 1993.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC based on the need for additional aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(r) has been denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for such.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining ongoing treatment records and arranging a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with this rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left shoulder disability, including instability and range of motion testing. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding medical evidence relevant to the claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and increased ratings for his right knee disability. The Board has ordered a new examination to address the nature and likely cause of his diabetes, as well as an orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of his postoperative right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's hypertension was found to have manifested within one year of active service. No current diagnoses were found for the claimed upper extremity conditions related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disorder, diagnosed as arthritis, did not manifest until decades after his separation from service and is not otherwise related to his period of service.