Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, neck, shoulder, and headache disabilities, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and knee disabilities have not been shown to warrant a higher disability rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.,The Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities that would qualify him for these benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral spine strain, and right knee disorders. However, these claims are still in dispute as new evidence submitted by the Veteran does not conclusively establish that his current conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from the Poplar Bluff VAMC and a medical opinion regarding whether any current right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the relationship between current right shoulder disorders and service. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 8, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination. The appellant's service connection claims will be adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's cause of death, small bowel ischemia, was found to be related to his service-connected varicose veins and PVD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and cervical spine with disc herniation prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran claims service connection for a left shoulder injury sustained in service. The case is being remanded to secure treatment records and conduct an examination to determine the nature of his current left shoulder disability and its likely etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, which may be related to his in-service complaints of shoulder pain.

The Veteran's service-connected SFW scars of the left arm and shoulder are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the highest evaluation available under DC 7804. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign hypertrophy of the prostate was denied as there is no evidence that it had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. The Board found that VA has discharged its duty to assist the Veteran in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion from the May 2011 VA compensation and pension examiner regarding whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the preexisting left shoulder disorder was not aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's complaints regarding his bilateral ankles, knees, left shoulder, and abdominal muscles are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of VA policy regarding painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and low back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left foot pes planus with arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis of the left shoulder, and pes planus of the left foot, collectively render him unemployable.