Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right shoulder disorders did not have their onset during any period of active duty service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and hallux valgus, as well as his left shoulder disorder, are service-connected. The evidence supports a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of chronic right or left shoulder conditions during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pituitary gland disorder and for reopening her claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disorders. The rating assigned for chondromalacia patella of the left knee status post left total knee replacement with scarring was 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and service connection. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence related to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder is not manifested by limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, warranting a maximum rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left hip is not manifested by limitation of abduction of thigh with motion lost beyond 10 degrees, warranting a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, including arthritis, did not have their clinical onset in or are otherwise related to active service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

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

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from September 1, 2012. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is found to be caused by his service-connected left Achilles tendon rupture, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher rating for his left shoulder recurrent dislocation remains under consideration.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes a post-operative dislocation and degenerative joint disease, is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in evaluation beyond this level.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, joint pain, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left shoulder and low back disabilities. The RO will also issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing the increased rating claim for PTSD with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran likely developed multilevel cervical spine DDD while in service, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition based on a presumption of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition during service and no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues on appeal are for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.