Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, specifically a neck disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, or left shoulder disability. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation assistance, or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5010 (degenerative joint disease), does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but is presumed due to a post-service injury. The right knee disability is also not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and spine conditions, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support the current diagnoses.,Service connection could not be established for any of the claimed disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of these areas was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations, including a need for an orthopedics specialist examination of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and opinions regarding the relationship between his low back and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder injury is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and elbow disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service combat experiences. The hip and shoulder issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome has been characterized by pain, crepitus, and limitation of motion. The current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate given the symptoms.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and probative evidence linking the Veteran's current right shoulder disability or cervical spine disability to service, and thus denied both claims.

The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the Los Angeles VARO. The Veteran's appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in a final October 1994 Board decision. The RO granted service connection for his disabilities effective March 13, 2009, the date he filed to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, left leg, and right leg disabilities. However, these claims are being REMANDED to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his factory job in 1982 and to schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Board found that VA's treatment did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of fault on VA's part.

The Board determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disabilities, including tendonitis, arthritis, capsulitis, and impingement syndrome, are related to service. The pre-existing fracture was not aggravated during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his pain medication use contributed to his death. The primary cause was coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records from specific providers and examining his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a 1989 angiogram and another opinion regarding his left subclavian shoulder/arm disorder. The issues of secondary service connection will also be addressed.