Shoulder Board decisions

The VA's failure to timely diagnose and properly treat the Veteran's oropharyngeal carcinoma caused his death, resulting in a grant of DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by limited range of motion and advanced osteoarthritis, does not warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease and a full thickness rotator cuff tear, is not related to his active service. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or symptomatology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lower back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examination and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability incurred in active military service and awarded an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Womack Army Hospital and other providers.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the West Virginia National Guard and scheduling a VA examination to assess the appellant's bilateral dry eye disability and left shoulder condition.

The Board has granted service connection for overuse syndrome of the right and left feet, but denied claims for a right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was granted a 20% rating, effective April 1, 2005. The appeal is for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm, leg, and shoulder disabilities as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claims are based on direct incurrence rather than secondary or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The examiner should clarify whether the Veteran is right or left-handed and address any functional impairment/loss.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder supraspinatus tear repair is currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA adjudicator found that it does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Board has determined that a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, is warranted for the Veteran's right shoulder disability as of October 5, 2009. Prior to this date, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral knee condition was aggravated by active duty military service. The right shoulder disorder is not related to active military service, and hypertension may not be presumed to have been incurred due to the nature of the exposure basis provided. Diabetes mellitus developed prior to the Veteran's period of active duty in question (i.e., from January 2003 to July 2003) and did not increase in severity during active service.