Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an employment opinion.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and other physical conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that she is entitled to a TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected left radius and ulna fractures have resulted in ankylosis of the elbow joint, preventing pronation and supination. The RO has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and toe disorder have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evaluations of her service-connected right shoulder, lumbar spine, and skin disorders due to new information in the medical record.

The veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective June 1, 2004 based on the increase in severity of his service-connected conditions and to resolve reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary information is obtained.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a right shoulder condition and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the veteran's request to upgrade his discharge characterization and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip and shoulder disorders, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions in service or otherwise related to military service. The initial disability rating for vitiligo and hyperpigmentation remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder and knee disabilities, PTSD, kidney stones, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, did not have a relationship to any service-connected condition, and no new evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The veteran's right shoulder, left wrist, and left knee disabilities have been granted. However, the service connection for a left shoulder disability has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional evidence. The veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's suicide was not related to service-connected conditions or willful misconduct, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right fibula fracture. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a special examination to determine if the veteran requires aid and attendance.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, right S1 radiculopathy (claimed as a right hip disorder), subacromial impingement and rotator cuff tendonopathy of the right shoulder, and subacromial impingement and rotator cuff tendonopathy of the left shoulder are each rated at their maximum allowable evaluations. The veteran's bilateral otitis externa is not currently manifested by any symptoms.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a right shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examination reports and failure to provide adequate reasons and bases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder, finding that neither condition warranted a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.