Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted service connection for narcolepsy, as it is at least as likely as not aggravated by her military service. However, the Board finds no current diagnosis of costochondritis and thus denies this claim.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral shoulder disorder, as there is evidence that the condition may be related to Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying opinions regarding his psychiatric, shoulder, cervical spine, gastrointestinal, and sleep disorders.

The Veteran's hypertension and left shoulder adhesive capsulitis are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to requests for a copy of the claims file, an updated copy of the claims file, and a DRO hearing. The appellant's representative also requested a rescheduling of the Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder sprain, right elbow sprain, and left calf strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed as the Board found no CUE in the February 1978 rating decision.,There was no CUE in the February 1978 rating decision's assignment of June 16, 1977, as the effective date for skin disorder. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostatitis is denied because he did not file a formal or informal claim until June 28, 2006. His claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his urinary leakage required absorbent materials more than four times per day prior to March 3, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostatitis is denied as he did not file a formal or informal claim until June 28, 2006. His claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing that his urinary leakage required absorbent materials more than four times per day prior to March 3, 2014.,The Veteran's retroactive payment for PTSD by a December 1999 Board decision was correct and he received the proper amount. His claim is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder arthritis is granted as his current condition is at least as likely as not incurred during combat.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to prostatitis is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to the service-connected prostatitis. His claim is also granted based on loss of erectile power.,The Veteran's spouse's need for regular aid and attendance does not meet the criteria for SMC, thus his claim is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based upon loss of use of a creative organ is granted as he has lost use of his left hand due to an injury. His claim is also granted based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since February 14, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether he has been able to obtain or maintain such employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the current diagnosis of cystic change at the greater tubercle associated with rotator cuff pathology as being incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete record development, including verification of periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training performed by the Veteran while serving with the Army Reserves. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the current bilateral shoulder arthritis is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and opinions.

The Board denied compensable evaluations for scars of the right forearm and wrist, finding that the Veteran's service-connected scars did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of tenderness or instability. The same was true for his scars of the right shoulder and upper arm.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding private treatment records and clarification on whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw her claim for service connection of bilateral shoulders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied as a matter of law due to his failure to appear at the scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from December 28, 2009 to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for residuals of stroke and TDIU prior to December 22, 2009 have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, and scheduling him for a VA left shoulder disability examination. The TDIU claim will also be reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, back, and headache disorders. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing an SOC in the matters of service connection.