Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder, including arthritis, will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders to service or his service-connected cervical spine disability, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of his left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a right middle finger disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and right wrist disability. The Board found that there was no objective evidence of current disabilities related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service and is related to his in-service injury. The left knee disability is also service-connected, with no specific theory provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and rating for his claimed cervical spine disorder, shoulder numbness, PTSD, and secondary service connection.

The Veteran was granted compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a cognitive disorder, right upper arm and shoulder disorder, and anemia resulting from VA treatment in February 2009.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for an orthopedic examination.

The case is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including whether it is related to service or any other condition. The examiner should consider the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury and post-service pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left hand disorder, bilateral wrist disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders are not established as service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which approximates the criteria for a limitation of motion to shoulder level. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the objective medical evidence and the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and low back disability, finding that arthritis of the shoulders was not related to his service or a jeep accident in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chest pain, claimed as pleurisy. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA and Workers' Compensation records, as well as private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine have been granted.,The Board found that DJD was manifested within one year after separation from service and is related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder and cervical spine strain, finding that these conditions were incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records. The Veteran will also need to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding private records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability prior to May 6, 2010 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition from May 6, 2010 also failed.

The Board found that the Veteran's complaints of weakness, numbness, and decreased sensation in his left upper extremity were not incurred or aggravated by service. The diagnosis was left ulnar neuropathy, which is a distinct condition from shoulder subluxations and chest deformities.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, but denied service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be due to an in-service injury, while his low back disorder is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.