Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's death was attributed to metastatic malignant melanoma of the brain, which is believed to be related to his service-connected melanoma of the left shoulder. The Board has determined that a VA evaluation would be helpful in resolving these issues.

The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease. The Board finds that he is unemployable solely due to these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, to include rotator cuff tendonitis. The Board finds the Veteran's account of symptomatology credible and remands the case for another VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed left and right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's claim for VA medical treatment without payment is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate her service connection claims and other pending claims related to her disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was increased to a 40 percent rating, effective March 20, 2008.,The Veteran's left knee disability was increased to a 30 percent rating, effective March 20, 2008. He is still seeking SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to destruction of service medical records and the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of various body parts, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was rated at 60 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The appellant also had other service-connected disabilities which rendered her husband unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for joint and muscle pain claimed as due to undiagnosed illness, left ankle disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The Veteran's complaints of joint and muscle pains were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including somatization disorder and anxiety disorder with depression, are related to his service-connected headache disorder. The right shoulder injury is also found to be secondary to the service-connected headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining new and material evidence for the keloid scarring claim, providing VCAA notice regarding reopening of claims, scheduling VA examinations for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, and a mental health examination for psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee strain and right shoulder strain have been denied. The RO has granted the earliest possible effective dates for these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and assigned an initial 20 percent rating effective July 24, 2008. The Veteran's claims for tendinitis of the right wrist and low back disorder were also granted.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a left arm/shoulder disability as secondary to the residuals of a gunshot wound of the right upper extremity, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating or any rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2005 to September 12, 2006 and from September 13, 2006 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration due to inadequate analysis in the original decision.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death due to a stroke, which was the primary cause of death. The Board finds that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 2009. The claim for TDIU has been referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an increased evaluation.