Shoulder Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome affecting the right upper extremity had onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and elbow disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of the left and right shoulders due to new evidence received since the last denial. However, no rating increase was granted as the residuals of a fracture of the right little finger continue to meet the criteria for a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and psuedofoliculitis barbae, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that his hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability and thus could not be service-connected.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder disability during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes were productive of localized tenderness severe enough to cause an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour from December 27, 2007, to May 10, 2009. The RO granted a rating of 20 percent for this period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development of his medical records, including those from his recent shoulder surgery. The claims will be reconsidered in light of any additional evidence obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disorders are due to service, while his left knee disorder is a result of his right knee disability. The Veteran's preexisting right knee condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his current right shoulder disability, including whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for arthritis, bursitis, neck disorder, traumatic arthritis of the right elbow and hand, right shoulder disorder, respiratory disorder (granulomas), and low back disability. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, bilateral hearing loss, and numbness of the arms, shoulders, and left leg were all granted service connection. The Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which was previously granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating, is now rated at 20 percent due to some limitation of motion with pain and weakness that functionally limits motion of the joint to shoulder level.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service aircraft accident. The right shoulder disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains on appeal due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA mental disorders examination, obtain any additional evidence, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Muskogee RO.