Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and headache disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities as well as glaucoma and cataracts. The Veteran's PTSD was rated in excess of 50%.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability was denied. The initial rating of 30 percent prior to January 8, 2008 and from March 1, 2008 through September 22, 2010 is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be related to a fall during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The left shoulder disability claim has been deferred pending completion of additional VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from March 28, 2014.

The Veteran's inpatient hospitalization at Orange Park Medical Center was not authorized by VA, and the services provided were rendered due to a medical emergency. However, the condition did not stabilize until after discharge from the facility.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for low back, shoulder, and knee disorders are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they are not related to his active duty service.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues related to the appeal, including those regarding service connection for PTSD and anxiety, evaluations of shoulder conditions, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right shoulder tendinitis. The Veteran's tinnitus is already receiving the maximum schedular disability rating available, and thus a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely due to his military service. The issue of arthritis of the right knee, hips, and left shoulder remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right leg, left leg, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not manifested by ankylosis of the spine, incapacitating episodes of at least 6 weeks within any 12 month period, or associated neurological manifestations of the lower extremities or bowel/ bladder manifestations.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.,For his right shoulder disorder, the Board determined there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has not addressed the claims for sinus condition, right shoulder strain, and right hand condition (numbness, tingling and cramping). The appeal is REMANDED to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and records, including VA treatment records since June 2010, and new examinations for the Veteran's bilateral knee, left shoulder, low back disabilities; and insomnia (claimed as depression and anxiety).

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder and left hip disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be incurred or aggravated by his military service. The most probative evidence did not link these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for non-service-connected death pension benefits and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence showing a total disability rating before or at the time of the Veteran's death, as well as other legal requirements not being met.