Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is causally related to an injury suffered during active duty for training, and grants service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during his military service. The left shoulder disability issue remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration decision. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis has not been substantiated.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis has not been substantiated.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has not been substantiated.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a prostate disorder, but it is unclear whether this new evidence relates to the original issue or if it pertains to another condition. The claim remains pending as the Veteran did not appeal the August 1998 determination denying reopening.,The Veteran's initial rating for left testicular and cord pain was denied, with a current rating of 10 percent assigned from October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hernia surgical scarring and post-surgical residuals were also denied. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.,A compensable rating (greater than 0%) was denied for the Veteran's right ring finger disability.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a neck disability, as well as his increased ratings for psychiatric disorder, costochondritis, right Achilles tendon calcific tendinitis, and left Achilles tendon calcific tendinitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disorders, including bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, low back, skin, sinus, and ear disorders. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left elbow condition, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Board also dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for his cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following his military service and the claimant failed to provide credible evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury.

The Board found no current disability of the left or right shoulder and concluded that any in-service shoulder problems resolved without residuals, thus denying service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was incurred during his period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder and left shoulder disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or any pre-existing condition. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no issues related to service connection were raised.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran did not have any evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board found no credible evidence of in-service injuries or symptoms that would support service connection for the claimed conditions, including headaches, low back disorder, bilateral heel disorder, and left shoulder disorder. As a result, these claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for limited motion of the left arm due to tendon tear and resultant bicipital tenosynovitis was denied as March 18, 2009 is the earliest date that it is factually ascertainable his condition had increased in severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability and its impact on employment. The case will also be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service regarding extraschedular entitlement.

The Board has not decided the service connection claim, but has remanded it for additional development. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is currently diagnosed and the appeal will be considered after further examination and evidence collection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his left shoulder and neck disabilities.