Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity cold injury residuals, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or persistent symptoms related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement and low back pain with degenerative disc disease have been granted initial evaluations of 20 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board by videoconference from the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder labral tears and instability are related to his military service, specifically to a left shoulder sprain he incurred during active duty in October 2001. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion, is currently rated at 30 percent under DC 5201. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition has been shown to be primarily due to functional loss from pain rather than any other service-connected condition or exposure basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or automobile and adaptive equipment eligibility.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records.

The Veteran's death was attributed to metastatic malignant melanoma of the brain, which is believed to be related to his service-connected melanoma of the left shoulder. The Board has determined that a VA evaluation would be helpful in resolving these issues.

The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease. The Board finds that he is unemployable solely due to these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, to include rotator cuff tendonitis. The Board finds the Veteran's account of symptomatology credible and remands the case for another VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed left and right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's claim for VA medical treatment without payment is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate her service connection claims and other pending claims related to her disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was increased to a 40 percent rating, effective March 20, 2008.,The Veteran's left knee disability was increased to a 30 percent rating, effective March 20, 2008. He is still seeking SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to destruction of service medical records and the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of various body parts, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was rated at 60 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The appellant also had other service-connected disabilities which rendered her husband unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for joint and muscle pain claimed as due to undiagnosed illness, left ankle disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The Veteran's complaints of joint and muscle pains were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including somatization disorder and anxiety disorder with depression, are related to his service-connected headache disorder. The right shoulder injury is also found to be secondary to the service-connected headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining new and material evidence for the keloid scarring claim, providing VCAA notice regarding reopening of claims, scheduling VA examinations for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, and a mental health examination for psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee strain and right shoulder strain have been denied. The RO has granted the earliest possible effective dates for these conditions.