Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, and right heel disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected burn scars have been rated based on the revised criteria effective October 23, 2008. For the entire rating period, his deep and nonlinear scar of the right biceps measured 11 x 21 cm with moderate underlying soft tissue loss; he had painful scars on his right biceps and triceps; and superficial and nonlinear burn scars covered a total area of 605 square cm. The Veteran's service-connected scars have not increased in severity over the course of the appeal, warranting denial of higher ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from October 14, 2008. The claim for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability and the VA examination did not reveal any such disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate disabilities of the cervical spine, right shoulder, right wrist, or right hand that are attributable to active service. The VA examiner found no isolated disabilities and provided a rationale for this conclusion.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and arthritis did not begin during active service or within one year of discharge, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been rated at 20 percent since February 1, 2007. Since December 21, 2009, the rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, finding that it is related to military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff partial tear, cervical strain (neck disability), and headaches are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation, finding that new and material evidence was not received to support the claim. The Veteran's preexisting right shoulder condition was found to have existed prior to service and no aggravation by service was shown.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and shoulder disorders are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, as well as secondary disabilities to these conditions, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to active military service or are due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to July 1, 2010, was rated at 30 percent due to limitation of motion and pain. From September 1, 2011 onwards, the rating increased to 60 percent based on chronic residuals consisting of severe, painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder is found to have started during service and continues today, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service, but his left shoulder disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery performed on March 9, 2010 was extended to June 30, 2010 due to the need for convalescence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not supported by credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology since service or an association with service. The claims will be remanded to further develop the record.