Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a liver disability and denied initial compensable ratings for scars of the head, neck, face, left abdomen scar (status post punch biopsy for melanoma), and left shoulder scar (status post melanoma removal and surgery).,The appellant did not have a current liver disability at any point during the appeal period. The Board found that his scars met criteria for a 30 percent rating but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tendonitis, has been granted. The issue is dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during a period of INACDUTRA in 1988, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for hepatitis was denied.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied. The Veteran's diagnosed left shoulder bursitis was not incurred in service and is not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation and acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease have been remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for the left ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied, and the Board found that he is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

New evidence has been submitted, and the claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder, hip, leg, knee, Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot disabilities. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, need for additional VA examinations, and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the functional impairment resulting from this disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities. The decision also includes a request for an initial compensable disability rating for migraine headaches. A new examination is required for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left third and fourth fingers, right ankle, low back disability, left shin scar, PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, stress fracture of the left tibia, right shoulder disability (prior to April 21, 2014), right clavicle disability, and right wrist disability have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection of right fifth finger disability are also denied.,The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disability, left shin scar, and PTSD as there is no case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for the period from February 1, 2012 to February 1, 2013 and an initial 30 percent rating since February 1, 2013 for the Veteran's right knee disability. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher ratings are remanded due to need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine arthritis, and depression. The Veteran's disabilities were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of right rotator cuff tendonitis and arthritis was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection, including left shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, and a left hand rash.

The Veteran's disability ratings for residuals of right and left shoulder injuries were initially granted in October 1996, but the effective dates have been adjusted to reflect new evidence received after May 27, 2015. The current rating is 10% for each shoulder injury prior to May 27, 2015, and 20% from that date.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, migraine headaches prior to September 22, 2014, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for right shoulder total arthroplasty is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating outside of temporary periods following implantation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should receive a new VA examination to determine if his right shoulder disability is related to service. The examiner will need to consider all relevant medical history and provide an opinion on whether any current right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service events.