Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including residuals of a right eye injury, neck disability, back disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are related as they all involve service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The decision found that the current conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, but her pain scar is not compensable.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C more than two decades after separation from service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service-connected left shoulder and arm disabilities, and the claim for service connection secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various upper extremity and wrist disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to service.,There is no credible evidence linking any of these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is currently rated at 20 percent disabling under DC 5203, which is the highest rating warranted.,The Veteran does not meet the threshold requirements for entitlement to TDIU on a schedular basis due to his combined disability rating of 30 percent and single service-connected disability of 20 percent.,The Board finds that a referral for consideration of the TDIU claim for extra-schedular consideration is not warranted as the Veteran's right shoulder condition did not prevent him from obtaining or sustaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection has also not been granted for tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the right inguinal hernia scar rating and service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to a lack of recent VA examinations and potential procedural errors.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bursitis and arthralgia of multiple joints, CFS, mild obstructive airflow disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to his withdrawal at a hearing. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, rash of the shoulders and armpits, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression). The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and TBI. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye condition, left hip disability, left leg disability, left shoulder disability, heart disability, and osteoarthritis has been reopened. However, the Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis is granted a 40 percent rating, effective October 13, 2016.,Left knee patellofemoral syndrome issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for left shoulder injury and low back injury as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability (including right knee strain, degenerative arthritis, and medial compartment narrowing), and left knee strain were all granted service connection. The Veteran's clavicular pain was denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Acne vulgaris was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for the right shoulder disorder was reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which would warrant a higher rating.