Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell disease has been reopened and is granted. He is also awarded secondary service connection for multiple conditions as secondary to his sickle cell disease, including right shoulder/arm disorder, hemorrhoids (blood in stool), fungal dermatitis, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, heart condition, eye disorders (glaucoma and blindness in the left eye), muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, and alopecia. His rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected myofascial pain of the right shoulder girdle muscles is being remanded due to a need for clarification on the proper rating and additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and migraine headaches to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative indicated that his vascular dementia claim was resolved, so this issue is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement has been manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his left shoulder disorder and DVT left leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the service connection claims, including a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right leg, knee, and shoulder disorders are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a right arm disability and remanded the claims for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a present disability related to the appellant's right shoulder injury, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that one or more of the Veteran's service-connected conditions substantially contributed to his death, as evidenced by a VA medical expert opinion. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any residual scars from fragment wounds to the back, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an examination to assess his employability and considering whether all of his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome with post-op acromioplasty and excision of the distal clavicle was granted a 20 percent evaluation since January 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a compensable rating for headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a higher rating of 60 percent since January 13, 2010. His left shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board also found that he met the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DJD of the right shoulder, finding that new evidence supports a link between these conditions and service. The Board also found that the disabilities are directly related to service.