Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds that the additional disability was not proximately caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, prior to April 6, 2006, was manifested by arthritis and limited motion. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for this period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a service-connected left shoulder disability was denied as his current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of a right knee disorder, a sleep disorder, and a right shoulder injury due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or aggravation during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the May 1961 decision. The Veteran presented additional evidence indicating he has a current right shoulder disability but this was not linked to his service or service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic disability of the left shoulder or low back, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and lower extremity disorders are not related to his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right groin strain was withdrawn.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a headache disorder remains open on appeal, as the July 1988 rating decision denying such is not final.,Diabetes mellitus was incurred in active service and is service-connected.,Asthma was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,TMJ dysfunction was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,The right shoulder disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may the incurrence of arthritis during such service be presumed.,Erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus).,PTSD and major depressive disorder were incurred in active service and are service-connected.,Dry throat was not caused by active service, as there is no underlying diagnosed disorder residual to tonsillectomy.,A bilateral elbow disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,A rib joint disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,The torn right latissimus dorsi muscle was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,Arthritis of the hands was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and the incurrence or aggravation of arthritis during such service may not be presumed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities of the right and left ankles have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability has also been granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder impingement were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, skin disorder, and enlarged prostate as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for recurrent dislocation and degenerative changes of the right shoulder, evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and dental trauma were denied as there is insufficient evidence to support the diagnoses or a causal relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence for epididymitis from February 27, 2006, to March 29, 2006, is denied. The issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.