Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement and right shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of Valley Fever, finding that the clinical findings in the Veteran's lungs detected in 1977 and present in 2008 are the residuals of infection that was the result of exposure to coccidioides imitis (Valley Fever) during active service. The heart condition and arthritis claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective September 2004. The Veteran is granted an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected headaches and denied a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral heel or right shoulder disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The initial rating claim for lumbar strain will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to service-connected disability. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fractured left clavicle remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to increased ratings and an effective date, as well as a need for additional evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for urinary frequency.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder impingement before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for cerebrovascular disease and a right shoulder disability, both of which are considered residuals from injuries sustained during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. The issues of higher initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right middle finger disability and service connection for his right elbow and shoulder conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the right middle finger condition or service connection for the right elbow and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury, now diagnosed as traumatic calcific bursitis with mild spinal accessory nerve injury, results in chronic pain and limited motion. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome affecting the right shoulder, neck, and back is not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5025. The evidence does not show widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points that are constant or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including hepatitis C, abdominal disability, head injury/concussion, eye injury/abrasion, black widow spider bite, and asbestos exposure-related disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee trauma and degenerative joint disease, right shoulder bursitis, and right wrist fracture and limitation of motion are denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.