Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not resolved on its merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder girdle myofascial pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(k) for loss of use of his left (minor) upper extremity, finding that effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election with a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left shoulder disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding her service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including partial rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, is found to be due to his service-connected right upper extremity disabilities (right shoulder, hand, and wrist), thus granting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, but not for a left shoulder disorder. The evidence submitted since the March 2009 decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims, while the evidence does not raise such a possibility for the left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative disc disease without myelopathy, shell fragment wound (SFW) residuals affecting the neck, right shoulder and chest, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a rib disability, left shoulder disability, and left knee/leg disability are denied as he does not have current disabilities. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for oral cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of any such disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity. If he fails to appear, his pending hearing requests will be withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle, left ankle, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating to obtain additional medical records, complete a VA examination, and provide further development as requested.