Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied, with the issues of increased ratings for left shoulder disability and initial rating for chronic central serous retinopathy and central scotoma, left eye being addressed. Effective dates were also not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and another examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to service, and his right shoulder arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that forward flexion was limited to 15 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 7, 2011 was also denied as he failed to complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940, leaving insufficient information regarding his employment history.

The Board has remanded this case for a personal hearing or videoconference hearing in accordance with the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include a request for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a scar on his neck, and therefore service connection for residuals of a burn on neck is denied. For the left shoulder scar, a 10% disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's residuals of a left shoulder gunshot wound are rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have any documented medical follow-up for these conditions until 30 years after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain with AC joint arthritis, bilateral elbow chronic strains with early degenerative changes, chronic cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, and chronic left hand strain. The Veteran's sleep apnea was also not granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder disability, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease L5-S1, urinary frequency, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is capable of full-time employment.

The Veteran's dermatitis/eczema disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective prior to June 16, 2014. The right shoulder limitation of motion issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder and left hip pain are manifestations of fibromyalgia, which is linked to service. Therefore, it grants service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective February 16, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia is currently rated at 0 percent.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder conditions are found to be related to service, warranting the grant of service connection for both.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU was not addressed. The Board found that the current schedular criteria were adequate to rate the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability at all pertinent points.

The Board has received notification from the appellant's representative that they wish to withdraw their appeal on all issues, including service connection for left shoulder disorder, back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability or right shoulder disability incurred in service and therefore denied both claims.