Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that the July 1979 and April 1980 rating decisions denying service connection for anxiety reaction and schizophrenia contained CUE. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is now considered to be related to his service-connected right wrist disability, as evidenced by new evidence submitted since the August 1995 rating decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and verify the Veteran's dates of active duty, as well as VA medical records. The claims will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The TDIU issue is remanded as it requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right wrist disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, mild degenerative facet joints with chronic low back strain, and bilateral knee strain are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for her thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or right shoulder disorders as secondary to her service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause incapacity that requires regular aid and assistance of another person to dress, perform basic hygiene tasks such as bathing, and to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The cervical spine disability claim has been reopened, but no specific theory of service connection was provided.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder and left hand/forearm disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic musculoligamentous strain of the right shoulder, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, and chronic bilateral musculoligamentous ankle strain.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for a right shoulder disability prior to December 16, 2008, and a rating greater than 20 percent from December 16, 2008 is dismissed. The Board granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and migraine headaches, have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU from January 15, 2008 to August 31, 2015. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether her service-connected psychiatric disorders prevented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.