Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective November 17, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence did not establish he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and consider a private medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's angioneurotic edema and right shoulder disability rendered him individually unemployable as of February 25, 1998, warranting a TDIU rating effective from this date. The Board also found that his service-connected angioneurotic edema warranted an increased rating to 40% effective from the same date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA medical opinions regarding his left shoulder arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities have been granted increased initial evaluations. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tendonitis of the right shoulder was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's service-connected scars/burns of the right and left shoulders, but found that he is entitled to higher ratings under different diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back problems, a left leg condition, bilateral ankle condition, right shoulder condition, high blood pressure due to herbicide exposure, and an ulcer. The decision is not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has granted a 30 percent schedular rating and a 10 percent extraschedular rating for the Veteran's left shoulder strain. The case is being remanded to address the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis, as well as service connection for a systemic disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder impingement disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found no current disability of the right shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right hip, or right knee and thus denied service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a fractured skull, severe disfigurement of the face, left shoulder disability, and diplopia of the right eye, are considered in determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disorder as of September 13, 2007. The effective date remains June 8, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and hearing loss have been granted.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder, characterized by pain, soreness, popping, and occasional dislocations, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left or right wrist disorders, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as some conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illnesses. The Board found that other conditions could be attributed to active duty.