Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including tendonitis and a tear of the supraspinatus tendon, had its onset during his active service.

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

The Board has found that the Veteran's recurrent upper respiratory signs and symptoms, including sinusitis, are due to an undiagnosed illness manifested during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper right shoulder tumor and upper left arm tumor, finding no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence of record.

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

The Veteran's initial ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbar sprain and thoracolumbar spondylosis have been granted, with a 10 percent rating each effective June 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA home loan benefits because he was discharged from active duty service due to reasons other than a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition was not found to warrant a higher rating, while the other issues did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her degenerative disc disease at L4 to S1, left shoulder disability, and left hip disability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition is related to his in-service ACDUTRA injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the right shoulder disability receiving a 70% rating since April 8, 2008. The Veteran has also been awarded TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease. The left shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain, and left shoulder strain first manifested during active service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a VA examination of his fibromyalgia disability. The claims will be reviewed again after this additional development is completed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which required surgery and convalescence, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling from August 6, 2012 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disorders are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for this condition. The Hallux Valgus of the left foot with degenerative joint disease is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis with rotator cuff tear and labral injury is related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.