Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder and upper arm, as well as his left hip, leg, and foot disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, as well as his claims for various other disabilities. The Board found that there was no legal merit to these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal for entitlement to service connection for death was not timely filed. The claim for an increased rating for right shoulder disability is granted, with a final evaluation of 20 percent. The claims for additional disabilities due to VA hospital care are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right wrist DJD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a supplemental VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right shoulder disability, taking into account in-service treatment records and the Veteran's assertions of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral shoulder disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance since April 4, 2006. The effective date for SMC based on this need is set at April 4, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral leg, right knee, and bilateral shoulder disorders are not related to his active military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested increased evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for C5-6 herniated disc, right shoulder dislocation and left upper extremity radiculopathy has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is rated at 10% since July 20, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have not more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating during other periods on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder manifested by pain in the shoulders, wrists, and knees (arthritis), as well as stomach disorder and scar on the head. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred during or related to active duty.,Service records from active duty do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of arthritis or chronic joint problems, stomach disorders, or a surgical scar on the head.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no credible evidence linking them to service or any incident therein.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD, hypertension, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to service due to their onset within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the case is being remanded to the AOJ. The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disability and neuropathy of the left ulnar nerve are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability is granted effective from July 3, 1997. The case is also remanded to schedule the Veteran for a Board hearing on his claims of earlier effective dates and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an examination of the Veteran's right shoulder. The appeal is now pending again with the VA.