Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the November 2015 VA examination reports in the first instance. If benefits remain denied, a supplemental statement of the case will be provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the nature, etiology, and relationship of his current left shoulder condition to service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing updated VA treatment records and arranging a new examination for service connection of residuals of concussion.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder tendonopathy. Service connection is denied for right arm disability and left arm disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability did not have onset during service, arthritis of his shoulder did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and his current shoulder disability was not caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral shoulders is granted service connection. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is granted a rating of 20 percent as of July 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), residuals of a right thigh/hip injury, residuals of a left thumb injury, malaria, a right foot or ankle disability, a left knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are pending.

The Board has determined that there may be outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records, which need to be obtained. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of the right upper extremity, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia, which is claimed as pain affecting multiple joints including hips, knees, shoulders, and the cervical spine, is etiologically related to service in the Persian Gulf War. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of degenerative bones in the left shoulder and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not considered to be related to his military service, while his PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 20, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, PTSD, chronic pain disorder, and other neurological disorders. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders. The Veteran's hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right foot disorder, myopia, swelling of the left testicle, and tinea versicolor are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than July 14, 2005 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, residual of a shell fragment wound and status post rotator cuff repair.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder condition is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder/arm, right calf, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased rating for post-operative right ankle residuals and a request for extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, shoulder, and head disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.