Shoulder Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including adhesive capsulitis and partial rotator cuff tear, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to address his right shoulder bursitis, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis with referred pain to shoulder and right arm. The issue of whether service connection is warranted remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 8, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to this date.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the procurement of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted effective March 24, 2003. The earlier date of March 24, 2003 is established as the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right elbow disability and increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability was denied. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis was granted with a 0% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence submitted by him and a need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition present at separation from service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and gynecological disorder. The issues on appeal are related to whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 28, 2012 for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The Veteran's request to reopen his previous claims and seek increased ratings were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and opinions regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was incurred in service and is related to his right shoulder disability. The claim for secondary service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and gastrointestinal disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90%, which satisfies the criteria for a TDIU. The evidence shows that the Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorders, and prostate cancer. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain an examination and additional treatment records, as well as to attempt to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his psychiatric disorders, lumbar strain, right ring and little finger degenerative joint disease, left shoulder tendonitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle strain, and left foot plantar fasciitis from February 1, 2010 to September 6, 2011 were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.