Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim is granted as her current disabilities are found to be related to her military service.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination. The examiner will assess whether any currently or previously diagnosed right shoulder conditions are related to active duty service, as well as whether any sleep disturbance is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as bone spur and impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis, and acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis, did not manifest within one year of service discharge and is not linked to his service-connected left wrist and hand disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right hip have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining flight physical records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's skin conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing a direct link between the current conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral elbow, shoulder, and hip disabilities are not related to service. The symptoms were first noted many years after service and are attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including right knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome, cervical muscle sprain, chronic lower back sprain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1, and right shoulder strain. The RO granted service connection for each condition but assigned initial ratings of 10 percent. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain her medical records. The issues of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including residuals of bilateral shin splints and stress fractures; an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression; and a bilateral shoulder disability are currently in remand status.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his service connection for shrapnel wound of the left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to Muscle Group III, finding that her disability picture more nearly approximates a moderate muscle injury. The claimant is not entitled to a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a moderately severe or severe muscle injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, a neck disability, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of the left shoulder disability during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left shoulder disability. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for this examination may result in the denial of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current neurological disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder and right hand disabilities were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in active service or due to injury or disease incurred in active service.,The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disorders, attributing them to non-service-connected factors such as aging and normal wear and tear.