Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder supraspinatus tendinitis is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the aid and assistance of another person, as his psychiatric condition is severe but does not preclude him from attending to the needs of nature.,The Veteran's son, A.C.M., no longer qualifies for dependency benefits due to reaching adulthood.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 1, 2009 substantive appeal was not timely filed and thus his claims were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and was aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to determine if his right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus problems, allergic rhinitis, a right shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, and tinea versicolor. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder disorder and residuals of a neck injury were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current mild degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left shoulder with tendonitis was incurred in service, as it is less likely than not permanently aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2010 calendar year due to his service-connected skin disorder causing permanent stains on his clothes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to his Merchant Marine service not qualifying as active military service. The Board also found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a sternoclavicular sprain is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has provided credible evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service and current disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, heart disease, and shoulder disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected schizophrenia and these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder disorder were not incurred or aggravated during her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the Navy Reserve. The evidence did not show a permanent increase in severity beyond the natural progression of the disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left shoulder and right knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing scheduling issue, and no notification of the September 2009 hearing date was provided.

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis, was found to be incurred during his military service. The issue of service connection for multiple joints pain is pending and will need further clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as the existence of a separate left shin scar. The case will be reviewed after this development.