Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his current disabilities, including lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, left ankle, bilateral knee, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of September 3, 1997. The Board also remanded the issue of earlier effective dates for other benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sexual dysfunction, headaches, fatigue, back pain, bilateral hip disabilities, knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, elbow disabilities, and left ankle disability. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of service connection theories.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the manifestations of disability typically resulting from impairment of the humerus and whether any guarding of movement includes limitation of arm motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that none of his claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Board finds that the reduction in the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration is proper, but the correct effective date for the reduction is April 1, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his gastroesophageal reflux disease, abdominal surgical scars, and shoulder surgical scars are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left shoulder conditions have been granted and are set at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell disease has been reopened and is granted. He is also awarded secondary service connection for multiple conditions as secondary to his sickle cell disease, including right shoulder/arm disorder, hemorrhoids (blood in stool), fungal dermatitis, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, heart condition, eye disorders (glaucoma and blindness in the left eye), muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, and alopecia. His rating for vertigo remains at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected myofascial pain of the right shoulder girdle muscles is being remanded due to a need for clarification on the proper rating and additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and migraine headaches to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative indicated that his vascular dementia claim was resolved, so this issue is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement has been manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his left shoulder disorder and DVT left leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the service connection claims, including a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right leg, knee, and shoulder disorders are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.