Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities as well as chronic headaches due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence supports a link between the current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected condition, and the Board finds that an extra-schedular TDIU is warranted from December 12, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and low back disability. The claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded, as well as the reopened claim of service connection for cervical spine disability (on the merits).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and affording the Veteran an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his current disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal in response to the July 20, 2007 SOC regarding her claims for higher initial ratings. As such, her appeals were denied.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for nephrolithiasis, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and earlier effective date for pain in the shoulders, knees, and ankles was denied. The RO granted service connection based on new evidence but did not issue a final decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and affording the Veteran an opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since March 22, 2006. Prior to that date, he was able to secure and follow such an occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an injury to the coccyx, a left shoulder disability, and dizziness and vertigo, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied all issues on appeal except the claim for a higher initial evaluation for tinnitus, which is addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination by a VA orthopedic physician to determine if the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition caused or aggravated her right shoulder disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for left and right shoulder disabilities, fatigue, and fibromyalgia. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, left shoulder, bilateral knee, and hypertension disorders due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder disorder and hearing loss. The evidence submitted does not show that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities are not currently addressed in the decision.