Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, low back disability, right shoulder and arm disabilities, neck disability with left arm pain, and GERD. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and associated scars are rated at 20 percent, effective June 3, 2002. His bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected but not rated as he has no right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and numbness of the left ring and little fingers are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a higher rating of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was not granted. The current service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased SMC rate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to gather additional medical evidence and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability to his active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected TOS of the right and left shoulders are currently rated at 20 and 10 percent, respectively. The Board has determined that these ratings do not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete Reserve service records and for obtaining up-to-date VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multi-joint/bone pain is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify his Gulf War Service, and schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis with acromial impingement was denied as he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without good cause. As this is not an original compensation claim, the claim cannot be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on issues regarding timely substantive appeals filed with regard to January 2008 rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease, right shoulder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to December 9, 2011 and from December 9, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for joint pain as due to undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and review of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and shoulder disorders. The disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of dental disorder. The Board finds that multiple joint and muscle pain, urethritis, prostatitis, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, night sweats (due to Reiter's syndrome or sarcoidosis), respiratory problems (sarcoidosis), blood in stools/hemorrhoids, and short term memory loss are all part of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran's right heel spur residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His sarcoidosis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for sinusitis, right shoulder capsulitis, and cervical spine/neck spondylosis.