Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder strain and his claim to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus, but did not consider the merits of this issue as it was not appealed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder strain and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for her right shoulder injury sustained during active duty training. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct relationship between the current disability and service, necessitating further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from December 6, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent before that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a supplemental VA examination and consideration of lay statements and private medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, lung condition, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), right shoulder arthritis, left hand arthritis, bilateral wrist arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis have been denied. The denial is based on the lack of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability was denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently suffer from a right elbow disability and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain involving the low back, hips, shoulders and legs (claimed as 'bone disease') and thyroid cancer due to herbicide exposure. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection under any applicable law or regulation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and middle back disabilities. The claim of reopening a previously denied neck disability was also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation and some limitation of motion above the shoulder, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and degenerative changes of the right ankle were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right ankle condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, as it relates to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete information and evidence, including the need to obtain SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's skin disorder to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and psychiatric disorder has been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or chronic symptoms related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, and he met the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318(b) as his service-connected disabilities were rated at least 10 percent disabling for at least ten years prior to his death. However, the Veteran did not meet any of the three specified criteria in the statute.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to a service-connected condition. The examiner opined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition was less likely than not permanently aggravated by his left shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and cervical spine osteoarthritis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of service connection for low back disability, residuals of left leg contusion, right knee disability, and sleep apnea have been reopened but are still not substantiated.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and sciatic nerve disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The right inguinal hernia is currently rated as noncompensable.