Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disorders are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left ankle disabilities are service-connected. His right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran does not have hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), bronchitis, or arthritis of the legs, shoulders, or back that was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from the Social Security Administration and the Detroit VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right shoulder and arm injury, ankle injury, and back injury were denied as there was no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA care.

The Veteran's claimed right shoulder, neck, and low back disorders, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus, are not considered to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder as secondary to a service-connected injury, and has granted a 10% rating for the service-connected left forearm laceration. The claim for reopening the right hand and right fingers disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's asthma and left shoulder disability claims are remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and securing private records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records and reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder separation and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person and vulnerable to the hazards and dangers incident to his environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear connection between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as dysthymic disorder, somatoform disorder and PTSD, was incurred during active military service. The residuals of back injury, neck injury, injuries to the left knee, right knee, and right shoulder were also found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 31, 2003 for service connection of left shoulder capsulitis as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for residuals of a left shoulder injury. The low back condition claim is also denied as there is no direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury, continuity of symptomatology, or medical nexus.