Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for another VA examination and supplemental opinion regarding his right shoulder disorder, which may be related to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right shoulder and left ankle disabilities are rated based on their current functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claims will be adjudicated again after any necessary development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to have contributed to his acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, as secondary to service-connected disabilities, are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the issues listed on the title page.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran is seeking a VA clothing allowance due to the need to wear knee braces. The issue of service connection for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as other conditions like hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer, are pending before the Board.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendinitis is rated at 20 percent, but his right knee disability results in a TDIU. The decision on the left shoulder rating remains pending as it was not fully adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her service-connected back, right hip, and left arm disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Specifically, the Veteran's lumbago (back condition) has not demonstrated limitation of motion or neurological impairment that would warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability in July 2007, and new and material evidence has not been received since that time.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, SMC based on loss of use of the left upper extremity, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed to determine if the service-connected conditions result in loss of use of the hand or upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to concerns about the severity of his left shoulder disability, and a new VA examination is needed without considering the impact of medications.

The Board has granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for right and left shoulder tendonitis, effective January 11, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as to his claim for service connection for osteoarthrosis of the right knee. The initial rating claim for left shoulder arthroscopy, open Bankart capsulorrhaphy, was denied and an initial 10 percent rating was assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues include service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for progressive arthritis of the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for arthritis of the right shoulder was denied by the RO in April 2007, and the Board remanded the case to obtain additional development. The VA examinations conducted after the remand did not result in an increase in the disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic right shoulder muscle strain with DJD was denied by the Board. The current rating of 10 percent is maintained.