Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee condition, service connection for a right hip disability (reopened), and service connection for other conditions. The decision also addressed issues related to his bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition. However, after reviewing all available records, including VA treatment records and VA examination reports, the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current back condition and his active duty service. The same applies to his right shoulder and arm injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is manifested by flexion to 20 degrees or less and with pain. The Board has determined that a 40 percent evaluation, the highest available under DC 5201, is warranted for the entire appeals period.

The Veteran's posttraumatic left shoulder disability with glenohumeral joint arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current functional limitations.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is not service-connected, and her cervical spine disability has been granted with a noncompensable rating initially but later increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibrocystic breast disease, migraine headaches, and a left shoulder condition. The claims are being remanded to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and procedural issues, including a need for new VCAA notice and additional development of inpatient records from Germany and Fort Riley.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for an orthopedic examination, and requesting a determination on whether service connection should be granted for right knee and right shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under section 1318 as his total disability rating was not sustained for at least ten years prior to his death.

The Board is remanding the case to allow the Veteran to have a hearing before a Veterans' Law Judge at the RO, and for further development as needed.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, right and left knee disabilities, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's reported stressor was found not to have occurred, her current knee and shoulder disabilities were not linked to service, and her immersion syndrome in service is considered the earliest manifestation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, status post-dislocation is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO denied an increased rating as there was no limitation to shoulder level.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis and lymphedema have been granted service connection. However, the Board has determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation for loss of use of an upper extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability was denied. The RO assigned a temporary total rating from February 12, 2004 to March 31, 2005 and then a permanent 60 percent evaluation effective April 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for joint pain of the hips, low back, ankles, shoulder, and neck.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and a bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.