Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for sleep apnea and right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion to determine the relationship between his right shoulder disability and his military service, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for traumatic arthritis, status post bilateral shoulder hemiarthroplasty; and multilevel degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder disability, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability and arthritis, are not etiologically related to her periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all of the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection claims and a claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 18, 2004 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his left ear hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder condition, right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records, arrange for appropriate examinations, and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right arm and shoulder conditions, which may be related to his active duty service. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical inquiry into whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his service-connected cervical spine strain.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since October 30, 2009, based on limitation of motion and pain affecting daily activities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and potential hospital records from 'Triple A' Army Hospital or Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disorder. The decision also addressed his claim for PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity due to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to November 12, 2005 was denied as there is no competent, credible lay or medical evidence of painful motion in the left shoulder during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and updated VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder strain will be re-adjudicated after the additional development.