Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and determine the etiology of his right shoulder separation with degenerative joint disease and temporomandibular joint disorder.

The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for complaints of, or treatment for, spine, left shoulder, or lung disabilities. The earliest post-service clinical evidence of possible acid reflux is more than twenty years after separation from service.,There is no competent credible evidence of record that reflects that the Veteran has a lung disability causally related to, or aggravated by, service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for limitation of motion. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are currently contemplated by the assigned 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for sleep apnea and right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion to determine the relationship between his right shoulder disability and his military service, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for traumatic arthritis, status post bilateral shoulder hemiarthroplasty; and multilevel degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability was incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder disability, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability and arthritis, are not etiologically related to her periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all of the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection claims and a claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 18, 2004 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for his left ear hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcoholism is incurred during service, as evidenced by his imprisonment in service. The evidence is in relative equipoise on all material elements of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder condition, right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records, arrange for appropriate examinations, and provide an opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right arm and shoulder conditions, which may be related to his active duty service. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical inquiry into whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his service-connected cervical spine strain.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since October 30, 2009, based on limitation of motion and pain affecting daily activities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and potential hospital records from 'Triple A' Army Hospital or Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.