Shoulder Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and right shoulder disability, characterized as a right shoulder rotator cuff tear, were denied because the evidence did not support that VA carelessness or negligence caused his additional disabilities.,The Veteran's CVA was not found to be related to the March 2005 surgical procedure. The examiner noted that the risk of stroke after an aortic valve repair is known and disclosed on the consent form, thus no negligence occurred.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective from December 27, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to December 27, 2012 and denied any rating greater than 20 percent from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, right foot disabilities, and multiple scars on the right thumb. The reduction in the rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 26, 2011 was found to be proper.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his right ankle disability remains at 10%. The claims for lumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left ankle disabilities are not addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service in the Southwest Asian Theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and deviated septum are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is service-connected, as his symptoms have been continuous since service separation. The left shoulder disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development regarding his skin rash/skin disability, bilateral shoulder replacements, and asbestos exposure claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a social and industrial survey. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to be considered in determining his eligibility for TDIU.