Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder recurrent dislocations and arthritis was granted by the RO in April 2013 with an effective date of December 10, 2012. The grant is based on aggravation beyond natural progression due to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or PTSD due to service, and his claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and therefore service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's nerve and muscle disorder of the right upper extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's scar associated with his right upper chest/shoulder stab wound has been assigned a noncompensable rating, but an initial 10 percent rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no direct evidence of these conditions during his active service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and a neck disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide supplemental opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as well. The examiner must convert the audiometric test results from ASA to ISO units, discuss the significance of changes in auditory thresholds shown in 1960, 1963 and 1964 when converted to ISO units, and address the likelihood that in-service noise exposure caused chronic hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is being remanded as well. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed neck disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed lumbar spine disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, to include as due to a neck disorder and/or fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC) is being remanded. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed left shoulder disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for the fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC) prior to January 13, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed fracture residuals were caused or aggravated by his service-connected fractured left zygomatic-maxillary complex (ZMC).

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist ganglion cyst, hemorrhoids, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, a left hip disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to December 1, 2009 and increased to 70 percent thereafter.,Right Shoulder Disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to December 1, 2009 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it is rated at 30 percent, which is below the required percentage of 60%.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left 5th finger arthritis, left 2nd finger arthritis, and left 3rd finger arthritis. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's nerve and muscle disorder of the right upper extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's scar associated with the right upper chest/shoulder stab wound has been assigned a noncompensable rating, but an initial compensable rating of 10% is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Service connection is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis but denied for fallen arches or other bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran has established current disability and in-service event or injury for his right shoulder arthritis and lumbar spine arthritis. However, there is no competent medical opinion evidence currently of record regarding the nexus between these conditions and his service. Therefore, a remand is required to obtain such an opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder strain, finding that it was incurred during his active duty service. The remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder and neck/cervical spine disabilities are not related to her active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.