Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar warts and arthritis of the left shoulder are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent prior to May 19, 2012, based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hyperthyroidism, right shoulder disorder, and right foot disorder are related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in a letter dated April 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), cognitive disorder, NOS, and left knee disability on the basis that these conditions are proximately due to a service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion and 20 percent for impaired humerus effective from September 30, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis and bronchial asthma, as well as a determination on whether his forearm scars are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of February 6, 2009, based on the combined rating and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, personality disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also notes that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet criteria for Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the shoulder and feet as there is no competent evidence showing the presence of this condition during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and right shoulder strain have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder subluxation and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the above issues, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral feet conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board videoconference hearing due to his request for such. The issues on appeal include increased rating for headache, service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, reopening of gastroenteritis and back injury claims, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bronchial asthma with OSA is granted, and his TDIU rating is also granted.