Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder arthritis is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated contact information and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the previous VA medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and severity of his service-connected right elbow injury with traumatic arthritis and left shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome, as well as whether these disabilities are secondary to other service-connected conditions.

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 condition to service or any service-connected disability. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and hypertension in May 1998, which became final. The Veteran attempted to reopen these claims multiple times but new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.,The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability was granted as it is related to an injury during active duty.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorders, including degenerative joint disease, tendonitis, bursitis, SLAP tear, and impingement, are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 80 percent from June 25, 2007 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the evidence does not show that he was precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The VA medical opinions provided strong evidence against a connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current cervical spine, left knee, and left shoulder disorders are related to his service. The VA examiner provided a clear conclusion with a supporting rationale for the GERD and OSA diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee osteoarthritis conditions. The evidence received since the prior final rating decision relates to a previously unestablished element of these claims - whether the Veteran had current disabilities and if his conditions were attributable to service.

The Veteran's right and left ankle DJD were found to be incurred in service, while his right shoulder DJD was not.,An initial noncompensable rating is assigned for the Veteran's chronic left little finger soft tissue mallet and DIP degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, right wrist, left knee, and left shoulder conditions are related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, pes planus, and fibromyalgia were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, hypertension, and a low back disorder. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left upper arm/shoulder disorder, and dental disorder (for VA outpatient treatment purposes). The appeal is pending on the issue of service connection for TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and an ulcer disease, but reopened these claims. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is not supported by evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.