Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic neck and right trapezius disorder, right shoulder disability with arthritis and rotator cuff tendinitis, disorder of the right ulnar nerve, and right ring, middle, and index finger arthritis were denied as these conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and were not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disorders are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic left shoulder tendonitis with acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis is related to his in-service complaints of left shoulder pain, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a chronic skin disorder and PTSD was denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient clinic records. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and left upper extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), left hand and shoulder, and sleep apnea to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a disability manifested by temporary memory loss and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a ventral hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected as they are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his right shoulder disability is denied as it is a free-standing claim challenging a final decision, and not related to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right shoulder GSW and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for any condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder disabilities and chest disability. The claim for right shoulder disability remains denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the left foot disability and right shoulder disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review. The Veteran contends his left shoulder disability has worsened since a previous VA examination in October 2008, and he seeks treatment from private providers.

The Veteran's partial ankylosis of the right shoulder with postoperative arthritis was granted a rating greater than 20 percent. Service connection for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or tinnitus due to service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his left shoulder disability was denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for a scheduled VA examination. The current state of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and bilateral shoulder osteoarthropathy, bilateral knee osteoarthropathy with chondromalacia, and bilateral ankle osteoarthropathy. The appeals were based on the Veteran's complaints of pain and tingling in his feet and joints.