Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic vision disability in service and the Veteran's current vision disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The right shoulder disability was also found not to be directly related to service or secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen service connection for broken rib residuals. Service connection was also denied for right shoulder arthritis and low back arthritis as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is primarily productive of pain and limitation of motion with arm motion to shoulder level or better, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of outstanding private treatment records. The issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected conditions, as well as claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the increased ratings for right shoulder disability, acquired claw foot with hammer toes, status post resection of a left heel spur, Achilles tendon lengthening and plantar fascial release, and right foot strain.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment as a visual artist, but does not preclude him from securing or doing other types of work within the arts that do not require precise use of his right arm.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the issues related to major depressive disorder, TDIU, knee condition, cervical spine condition, shoulder conditions, anxiety, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability was not incurred in service, is not otherwise related to service, and was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected right shoulder disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, status-post rotator cuff repair, has been rated at 20 percent since April 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or function of the arm to shoulder level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left shoulder disorder are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The VA examiner concluded that any inservice injuries were not the cause of his currently diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral elbow and shoulder disabilities and her period of service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a bilateral shoulder disorder and finds that service connection is not warranted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disability, right shoulder disability, and uterine fibroids are not related to her military service. The evidence does not establish an in-service injury or event for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of recent medical records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial ratings of cervical fusion, lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis, and left shoulder status post arthroscopic surgery.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.