Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability.,However, the Veteran's low back disorder is considered incidental and as likely as not related to advancing age rather than his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's right shoulder disability to service or his service-connected left shoulder disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show that his left shoulder disability warrants a higher rating.,For the period prior to May 7, 2007, the Veteran's left hip disability was rated as 30 percent disabling. From May 7, 2007 through November 14, 2007, it was rated at 30 percent due to fracture of surgical neck of the femur with false joint. After this period, his rating has been fluctuating but never exceeded 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ligamentous injury of the right shoulder status post arthroscopy with debridement due to a lack of relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure to obtain a VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder impairment. The case is being remanded again to obtain such an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 70 percent, qualifying him for TDIU as of October 28, 2016. The claim for home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum is found to aggravate his current sleep apnea, which was previously denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has a disability manifested by loss of peripheral vision and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a fracture and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating as it indicates limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for the issues of service connection for a right hand disability, service connection for a right wrist disability, and a rating for right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The Veteran's claim will be remanded for obtaining relevant records from SSA, VA, and private providers.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a left shoulder disorder, and major depressive disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and chronic right shoulder strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, residuals status post fracture of the 3rd metatarsal shaft of the right foot, and residuals status post injury or stress fractures of the left mid foot. The Veteran's claims were not granted as she did not have current disabilities during the pendency of her claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The left shoulder disability claim remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chondromalacia and meniscus tear, is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The Board has granted a rating of 10% for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is linked to MST, a personal assault during service.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for left shoulder disorder and low back disorder.