Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, skin rashes of the head and face, respiratory disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder disorder (claimed as skin/nerve movements), ear disorder (claimed as ear aches, diagnosed as otitis externa), sleep disorder (claimed as insomnia/hypersomnia, diagnosed as sleep apnea), and vision problems. The Board found no objective evidence of these conditions during service or since service that could be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and left wrist tendonitis are directly related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and left knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and chest area have been granted increased ratings, with a combined rating of 20 percent for Muscle Groups I and IV in the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been reopened and is now pending. The VA will conduct further examination to determine if his current shoulder, bilateral leg, and right wrist disabilities are related to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted. The Veteran's migraine headache disorder claim has been remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right shoulder and right hand disabilities are not due to any injury or disease incurred during his National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder bicipital tendinosis and lumbar strain disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, as well as her issues regarding sleep disturbances. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left elbow disability, a right shoulder disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and gout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 24, 2001 for a grant of service connection for a gunshot wound of the left shoulder. The earliest effective date that can be granted is the date of receipt of the claim on August 24, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disorder that is related to his military service. The evidence shows an in-service injury, but no chronic disability was shown at separation and there are no records of ongoing symptoms or treatment for many years after service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. He is currently in receipt of a 20 percent rating since December 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is attributable to an injury sustained during his period of service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right shoulder, low back, cervical spine, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, lumbar disc disease, L5-S1 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided some claims, including those for increased ratings for psoriasis and eczema of the elbows. Other claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected burns of the scalp, neck, back, shoulders, and arms have been manifested by stable, non-painful scars without functional impairment.,At no time during the period of the claim has there been sufficient service-connected disabilities to preclude the Veteran from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, back disability, and skin disability did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his military service.