Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for service-connected recurrent left shoulder bursitis or sprain by history was denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather the evaluation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, as her current condition is not related to her period of active duty service. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran seeks compensation for additional disability of the right shoulder resulting from treatment at a VA medical facility in April 1993. The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and lack of compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right shoulder injury were incurred in active service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's leg cramps, joint pains of the shoulders and arms, and generalized body pain and weakness are manifestations of undiagnosed illness and have granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is requesting entitlement to TDIU. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, left hand pain, left shoulder pain, eye disorder, allergic rhinitis, residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax, and PTSD were all denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear, but denied service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands, arms, and shoulders, as well as gout of the legs, are being remanded due to incomplete records and need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the issues related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including consideration of staged ratings and referral for an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent chronic bronchitis did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and his mid to upper back strain did not meet criteria for an increase in rating beyond 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability, dermatological disability, and neurological disability. The decision is based on the lack of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not related to service, including a plane crash in 1957. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in various conditions, including recurrent urinary tract infections, major depression, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, postoperative reconstruction of the right shoulder, memory loss secondary to petroleum exposure, and chemical burns to esophagus secondary to petroleum exposure. The appeals were based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thoracic spine disorder and his symptoms are more indicative of a cervical spine strain. Therefore, service connection for a thoracic spine disorder is denied. The right shoulder disorder was also found to be unrelated to service.