Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus, stenosis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease at the C5-C6 interspace, as well as his right shoulder myofasciitis with arthritis secondary to right cervical spine radiculopathy, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran has been granted status as a Persian Gulf War veteran and is entitled to consideration for undiagnosed illness under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized as residuals of a right (major) shoulder injury, is not manifested by limitation of motion to the shoulder level or a moderately severe muscle injury. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left ankle disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her right shoulder and right knee conditions, as they are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of direct service connection or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left hip dislocation. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection remains pending for a left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability due to new evidence presented. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoma of the left shoulder is being remanded due to an inaccurate dosage estimate from 1971. The VA needs to provide a more complete explanation or conduct additional exposure assessments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a personal hearing before a traveling Veterans Law Judge at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina RO.

The Veteran's appeal involves reopening of his claims and seeking service connection for various disabilities, including a right eye blindness and basal cell carcinoma. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, variously diagnosed as bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis, is related to service. The bilateral shoulder disorder may not be presumed due to exposure but is considered a direct result of service. The bilateral hip disorder is not supported by evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent from November 23, 2010 to September 21, 2011.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability (CAD), and migraine headaches are all found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse. The musculoskeletal disabilities are also found to be related to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hernia disability and his episodic positional left groin strain is due to aging. The service connection claim for a left shoulder disability remains pending as there are outstanding issues regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claims is needed, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, a headache disability, lung condition (to include pneumonia), chronic eye pain, and chronic bone and body pain. The reasons were not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and considering all evidence received since November 25, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability was denied. The initial compensable rating for the surgical scar on the right first metatarsal, and the TDIU claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, and foot disabilities are related to his active service. The skin disability including skin cancer is not presumed or directly linked to his active duty.