Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability aggravates his currently diagnosed right shoulder arthritis, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the right shoulder arthritis as secondary to the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a VA examination and obtain additional medical records. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder recurrent dislocation with degenerative arthritis of the AC and glenohumeral joint, and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for scar, status post surgery, right shoulder will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent evaluation for his service-connected right shoulder disability, effective February 29, 2012, as the reduction was void ab initio due to improper application of regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The current disability ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine are all 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) and plantar fasciitis. The remaining issues of service connection for left knee condition, hypertension, myocardial ischemia/infarction, right knee arthritis, sleep apnea, and left shoulder condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes acromial impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the acromioclavicular joint with postoperative resection of the right distal clavicle, is rated at 20 percent from February 23, 2009 to October 28, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's chronic body pain, including fibromyalgia and joint/muscle conditions, were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The Board denied the claims for these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran was working full-time as a drug task force police officer from January 2005 to May 21, 2011. The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple joint pain (excluding knees and elbows), respiratory disorder, and sleep disturbance, are not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The cervical spine disability issue is pending adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative joint disease of the spine and shoulders, effectively preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and work background.

The Board finds that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and right shoulder rotator cuff tear are related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right ankle with osteoarthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for ingrown toenails, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, or bilateral shoulder disabilities. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition. The acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) are also found to be related to service. However, there is no evidence of cold injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because of his reported medical issues from a motorcycle accident.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and back disorder. The evidence now supports these claims as they are related to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and the need for further examination.