Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and right shoulder disabilities are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Veteran's left shoulder bursitis is found to be service-connected, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left trapezius muscle strain is not related to an acute muscle spasm during service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for further medical opinions regarding service connection and disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and low back disability are related to his military service, granting these claims. The left wrist disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that the submitted evidence is not new and material.

The Veteran is granted initial noncompensable disability ratings for his service-connected right shoulder dislocation, patella tendon repair of the right knee, and patella tendon repair of the left knee.,All three conditions are rated as 10 percent under DC 5202 (other impairment of the humerus) due to pain and instability in the shoulders.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and hypertension due to inadequate VA examination records. The Veteran's file will be reviewed by a VA examiner who conducted previous examinations.

The Veteran does not have degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder that is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and left shoulder and left hand disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and associated conditions, but her original claim was denied in November 1994. The appeal is currently remanded to consider whether the 1994 denial is final and if additional evidence supports a non-finality determination.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, with a separate 20 percent rating assigned for each. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and denied service connection for his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was found to be related to his active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition and remanded the remaining issues of right shoulder, left knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to falls caused by her unstable and giving way left knee, which qualifies for secondary service connection. The claim for an increased rating of the left knee disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for neck and right shoulder injuries, as well as the Veteran's claim of increased rating for his left knee disability. The decision also dismissed his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's chronic right shoulder bursitis was found to have its onset in service, and he is now granted service connection.