Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder gunshot wound was withdrawn. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he also has various other disabilities in his back, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and hips. The Board finds these claims are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder, wrist and finger, and ankle degenerative joint disease were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the right humerus with rotator cuff tendinitis, based on evidence showing that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues listed, including consideration of new evidence. The Veteran is also advised to submit a timely substantive appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal on any of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, as well as readjudication based on any additional evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination and clarification of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development, including new VA examinations for his right shoulder and hip disabilities, as well as etiology opinions regarding a lumbar spine disability. The claims are being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 30 percent for his right shoulder condition, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, but his cervical spine disability and arthritis have not met the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of seminoma, anxiety disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and low back disability have all been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability related to his service and denied service connection for a right shoulder disability. The issue of service connection for pancreatitis is remanded as it was not addressed in the July 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that he does not have sufficient combined ratings to qualify for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar disability and shoulder disabilities throughout the time period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for polyarthralgia of the lower back, hips, knees, and shoulders has been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim has also been denied due to lack of evidence showing that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.