Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which the VA doctor opined was due to his service-connected type II diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and medication for ischemic heart disease. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, there is no evidence in the file at the date of death that would have supported a claim for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders. The only condition found by the Board with a possible link to service is dementia, but this was many years after service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hammer toes of the second, third, and fourth toes and status post left bunionectomy.

The Veteran's service records do not show any foreign service, including in Korea. The appellant's claims for cold injuries and neuropathy are denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or disease/injury.

The Veteran would have been in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death but for clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 2003 VA rating decision. As such, the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are satisfied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for the left shoulder disability effective November 17, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a bilateral shoulder disability, and a bilateral foot disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

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 right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the right shoulder disability claim.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been manifested by limited motion, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion to less than shoulder level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as well as his requests to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right elbow tendonitis and epicondylitis were aggravated during active service.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and biceps bursitis were incurred in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder, hand, foot, and leg disabilities as presumed related to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right shoulder tear rotator cuff and granted a rating increase for his nonunited fracture of navicular bone, right foot. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for her low back disability, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability prior to December 19, 2016. The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent effective April 16, 2007. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the incorrect mailing of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of his right shoulder disability and skin disabilities. The Veteran is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a chronic low back and cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder arthritis, residuals of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip arthritis, have not been substantiated by the evidence of record. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability, which has worsened since the last examination. The Board finds that a new VA examination is required to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability.