Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection. The issue of higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral shoulder or knee disability that is related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability during service or within the first post-service year, and concluded that arthritis is not presumed to have developed due to service. The Veteran's current right knee condition was deemed unrelated to his military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee strain and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, which involves post-operative changes of the clavicle, is not related to his military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, update his vocational rehabilitation folder, and provide him with a new VA examination. The claims will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the Veteran's right shoulder condition. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed hiatal hernia, low back disorder, arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, arthritis of the bilateral knees, and left shoulder disability. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, a cardiac disability (claimed as chest pain), and a right knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be incurred in service, while his back disability may not be presumed due to its lack of onset during service or within one year thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder posterior labral tear, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such an increase.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of a left shoulder injury has been increased to 20 percent, effective April 17, 2012. The right knee disability continues to warrant a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound of the right shoulder is rated at 30 percent, and he was granted an initial compensable rating for pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula of the right iliac artery. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Board found that the current multiple joint pain, including bilateral shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome, bilateral elbow tendonitis, bilateral wrist tendonitis, and bilateral hand tendonitis, did not have onset in service or be otherwise related to an injury or event during service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and a heart disorder, both considered due to an undiagnosed illness.,Further development is needed for the remaining claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for further development of his service records and medical history.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder and residuals of back injury to allow for further development. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for clarification of certain opinions.