Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which existed prior to service, was aggravated by in-service activities and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with VA's duties to notify and assist, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations for the left knee and shoulder disabilities as well as headaches.

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the appellant's failure to appear at a scheduled hearing.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service origin or association with service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck condition, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim for reopening of the neck condition was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her active duty service. The issue of a right knee strain was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease and some limitation of left arm motion but not limited to shoulder level, was found not to warrant a compensable rating. The VA examiner did not find the condition so exceptional or unusual that referral for extraschedular consideration was required.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal due to the RO's recent decision increasing her disability rating for her service-connected left shoulder disability from noncompensable to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any bilateral shoulder disability and the Board finds that service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. As such, the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not show that any of his service-connected disabilities warranted an earlier effective date than November 9, 2007.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for cervical spondylosis was denied. Service connection for low back, right shoulder, and eye disorders were also denied. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are pending due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his claimed conditions. The claims will also be considered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 for Persian Gulf War service.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, involving Muscle Groups I and IV, produce no more than severe impairment, which does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her right shoulder impingement syndrome, right knee injury residuals, and left knee injury residuals. The RO must also obtain all relevant VA treatment records from August 2007 to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, or left wrist disorder. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.