Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder disability with rotator cuff tears is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and conduct an appropriate VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an upper back and shoulders disorder remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle/feet, back, neck, left shoulder, stomach/gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The kidney disorder was determined to be pre-existing and not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and low back disabilities have been granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of right shoulder superior labral tear with partial supraspinatus tear and acromioclavicular joint arthritis, as well as lumbar spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's malignant melanoma of the left shoulder is due to his sun exposure during military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral cataracts will be remanded as requested.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at BMC on December 14, 2009 are eligible for reimbursement as the treatment was necessary due to a non-service-connected condition and other conditions did not preclude such treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video conference hearing at the VARO in Togus, Maine. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder, sleep disorder, and chloracne are pending.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability, which resulted from surgery conducted on October 18, 2004 at the Huntington VA Medical Center. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current condition is related to the VA treatment or an unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected schizoaffective disorder and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed cervical spine, left shoulder, and right leg disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for stress incontinence and denied service connection for the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's bladder condition is found to have started during active duty, while her shoulder disability is attributed to a work injury post-service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected inflammatory arthritis. However, his right and left hand disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's painful scar residuals of his right shoulder disability are entitled to a separate compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is found to be service-connected.,Service connection for left and right eye disorders due to diabetic retinopathy is granted.,No service connection is granted for the left foot or right foot disorders.,Service connection for left and right shoulder disorders is not established.,The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) and gastrointestinal disorder are not found to be related to service.,Fatigue as a chronic condition is not found to be related to service.,Headache disorder secondary to hypertension is also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's TMJD with bone resorption is rated at 50 percent effective August 25, 2008. The other issues on appeal are not currently before the Board.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his issues on appeal, including those related to diabetes mellitus, insomnia, retinopathy, skin condition, neck condition, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and shingles. The Board finds that the Veteran's withdrawal constitutes a dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and scar on his face are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed respiratory disorder, bilateral shoulder arthritis, fatigue syndrome, tension headaches, or sleep apnea. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.