Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, including the shoulders, hands, and knees is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination of his left shoulder disability and consideration of the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and a TDIU due to service-connected disability was denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not service-connected, and his PTSD with MDD warrants a rating of 70% since October 19, 2007. The TDIU claim prior to March 10, 2014, is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to June 16, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral thigh disability, and cervical spine disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any poly-joint pain, to include hip, shoulder, and knee disabilities. The Veteran's claim is pending further action.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a Court order, specifically to obtain treatment records from Dr. Paszkowiak regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability, tendonitis, bursitis, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and renal cell carcinoma, as well as secondary service connection for lytic lesions of the cervical spine, left hip, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and skull. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left elbow, shoulder, and eye disorders. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are being remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claims, but granted a higher initial rating for his mood disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected left knee disability and any diagnosed left shoulder disorder. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for surgical scars of the left knee must be addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of certain symptoms. The case is now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and the extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 31, 2010 based on postoperative convalescence were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than 20% disability for the shoulder at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disorder and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spine, bilateral shoulder, and left leg and foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.