Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes. The claims of service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or after active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the current nature of his bilateral shoulder disability, focusing specifically on range of motion during flare-ups. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment notes and scheduling a VA peripheral nerves examination to determine if her cervical spine disability results in cervical radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and his TDIU claim was denied as his combined rating is less than the required 70% for a schedular TDIU determination.

The Veteran's cervical disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with radiation to both shoulders is etiologically related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board is unable to determine the exact cause of the Veteran's service-connected heart disorder, but it has permanently progressed at an abnormally high rate due to his major depressive disorder and lumbar strain with arthritis. The right shoulder disorder, left knee meniscal tear, osteoarthritis of the right knee, bilateral venous insufficiency, and bilateral foot disorder are all found to be related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability.,However, the Veteran's low back disorder is considered incidental and as likely as not related to advancing age rather than his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's right shoulder disability to service or his service-connected left shoulder disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show that his left shoulder disability warrants a higher rating.,For the period prior to May 7, 2007, the Veteran's left hip disability was rated as 30 percent disabling. From May 7, 2007 through November 14, 2007, it was rated at 30 percent due to fracture of surgical neck of the femur with false joint. After this period, his rating has been fluctuating but never exceeded 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ligamentous injury of the right shoulder status post arthroscopy with debridement due to a lack of relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure to obtain a VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder impairment. The case is being remanded again to obtain such an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined evaluation of 70 percent, qualifying him for TDIU as of October 28, 2016. The claim for home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum is found to aggravate his current sleep apnea, which was previously denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has a disability manifested by loss of peripheral vision and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.