Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and wrist, right shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are granted in part as new and material evidence was received to reopen them. Service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has credible reports of in-service noise exposure and current symptoms, which are sufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel cervical spondylosis and DDD. The low back disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was insufficient.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability or residuals of sigmoid resection for diverticulitis that is service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury and no credible lay evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from SSA.

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome, is found to be related to his in-service injury during combat operations.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his myofascial pain of the right shoulder girdle muscles was denied. The Board found that the schedular ratings adequately compensated the disability, and there were no exceptional factors warranting an extraschedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further consideration due to incomplete records and conflicting evidence regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to address her claims. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by dislocation of the clavicle or scapula with no evidence of impairment of the humerus, ankylosis, or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5203.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, ACDUTRA, or IDT. Therefore, her claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found no evidence of a shoulder or forearm injury in service and insufficient continuity of symptoms to establish service connection for the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying records from West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing records and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disorder, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and residuals of fractured nose are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims to service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist and finger, back, neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a TBI was withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder were also withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The AOJ will then determine if an increased rating in excess of 30 percent should be granted for his right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the January 2008 rating decision denying service connection for right and left shoulder disorders was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since then, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of any current bilateral shoulder disorder, including possible residuals of a cold-weather injury. The appeal is REMANDED for these actions.