Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has reopened several claims and remanded them for further development, including those related to the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, hypertension, PTSD, left wrist disorder, right ear disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and left elbow disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including a bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, hiatal hernia, residuals of pilonidal cyst, residuals of cholecystectomy, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, asthma, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease and occasional dislocation, has been found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent effective March 2, 2010. The claim for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current neck, shoulder, and knee disabilities are related to his in-service injuries. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of cervical strain to include arthritis are related to his military service, but the residuals of right shoulder tendonitis were not incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis, bilateral sciatica, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current back disorders are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating for left shoulder impingement with arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting right shoulder disorder was not aggravated by active service, and the left shoulder disability did not warrant an increase in evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff injury and is remanding the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his skin disability. The issues of service connection for Parkinson's disease and an increased rating for keloids are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The underlying claims for left shoulder disability and residuals of a broken arm remain pending.

The Veteran does not have a left wrist or left shoulder disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his major depressive disorder, did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2005. As of that date, he is in receipt of special monthly compensation at the level of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations for certain conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify his current diagnoses and obtain medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sickle cell trait, lumbar spine disorder, kidney disorder, pancreas disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral arm and shoulder disorders. The decision found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions incurred or aggravated by active service.