Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right shoulder disability, including its onset in service or relation to service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm, shoulder, and hand disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred during service or due to any incident of service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder disability did not undergo a permanent increase in severity as a result of military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his current right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral shoulder strain is related to his service, and thus granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for cystic acne of the face, cheeks, chin, shoulders, mid back and chest is being remanded due to a lack of proper notice regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder impingement as secondary to the service-connected recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder with reconstructive surgery and arthritis, assigning a disability rating of 20 percent effective March 25, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and will be obtained. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU per 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his claim of entitlement to a TDIU is submitted to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to marked interference with employment.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current respiratory disability, including asbestosis. The Board also determined that any current arthritis is not causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized as a strain, does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's current right thigh, back, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to the human pyramid incident during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left shoulder disability (prior to October 28, 2010) was also rated at 20 percent. From January 1, 2011, the rating for his left shoulder disability has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability did not require further convalescence beyond the initial period of 10 weeks following surgery, as evidenced by his ability to return to work and perform daily activities without restrictions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left shoulder disorder, or right shoulder disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disorder in service and no nexus between the current left shoulder disorder and service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.