Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has not decided the service connection for left shoulder disability and drug addiction, but granted an extension of time to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the April 25, 2011 rating decision on the NOD for the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple spinal and shoulder disabilities, including those allegedly incurred during active duty training (ADT) on June 12, 2004. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the ADT period and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and left shoulder tendinopathy/tear are related to service. However, further development is needed for the issue of right ulnar neuropathy (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment at any time since October 4, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or related to service, including as secondary to falls from service-connected knee disabilities. The claim for an increased rating on an extraschedular basis for a left knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities were aggravated by an error in judgment or an event not reasonably foreseeable, warranting compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of medical evidence, including a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not manifest during service and is not causally related to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for secondary service connection is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment and personnel records, as well as a need for additional examination regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including his now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either a left shoulder or low back disability.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to his military service, and therefore service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, and left shoulder strain prior to March 10, 2017 was also rated at 10 percent. Since then, the left shoulder strain has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is related to his military service, and has reopened his claim for Osgood-Schlatter's disease. The decision on these issues is mixed as some elements are granted while others are denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip, leg/knee, right ankle, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claim for hepatic steatosis was denied as the disease is not related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.,The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was not aggravated by active duty service. The cervical, knee, hip, stomach, headache, and right shoulder disorders were not shown in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting addendum opinions.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right shoulder disorder and TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.