Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's TBI and headaches are granted service connection. He is also granted initial compensable ratings for his right little finger, left little finger, and left ring finger disabilities. His left shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent prior to February 2013 and 20 percent thereafter. The reduction from 50 percent to 10 percent for PTSD was not proper.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding her service connection claims and a VA medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a left knee injury, neck disability, and left shoulder disability. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was not addressed as it is considered to be part of the migraine headaches claim. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50%.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a low back disorder related to the Veteran's service and denied his claim for service connection. The right shoulder osteoarthritis was also not granted as it is considered a preexisting condition that did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment for a left shoulder injury is covered by Medicare, and reimbursement of $261.54 is granted under the Veterans' Benefits Act.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he has current right shoulder or right arm nerve disorders that are related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder and knee disabilities are related to her active service, meeting all elements of service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for a video hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination. The Veteran served at Fort Dix, NJ in the 2nd Training Regiment, Company K where he reported injuring his left shoulder while moving railroad ties in August or September 1958. He has since been diagnosed with a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back, left shoulder, and left elbow disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for various disabilities and service connection for other conditions remain on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely than not related to his in-service injury. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dislocated shoulder and loss of use of left upper extremity has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his shoulder conditions and psychiatric condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not etiologically related to an in-service event, injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, gastrointestinal (gastritis), and right shoulder disorders. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, chronic left shoulder strain with laxity, muscle and joint pain of the hands and/or ankles (manifested by undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness), chronic fatigue, and short term memory loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is manifested by pain and weakness resulting in a limitation of shoulder elevation to midway between the side and shoulder level, warrants a 20 percent disability rating since June 4, 2009.

The Board has remanded the four issues for additional development due to a lack of examination. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are pending.