Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and readjudication due to inadequate medical reports and reasons provided in the previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI residuals and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis are service-connected as they were caused by his PTSD, which is already service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection for neck and GERD disorders is not granted as the evidence does not support their occurrence during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's right shoulder scars, DJD and impingement of the right shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spurs. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left hearing loss, tinnitus, or any of the other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, a back disability, TBI, bilateral shoulder disability, and eye disability. The claim of reopening service connection for gout was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disease and TDIU. The Veteran was found not to have a current disability related to kidney disease, and his combined rating did not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury prior to June 20, 2011 resulted in painful motion but no limitation of motion. A 10% disability rating is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial compensable ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and left shoulder scar, as well as the increased rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder with traumatic arthritis, were not granted. The claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran developed arthritis of the neck, bilateral shoulder disability, and arthritis of the back during his active service. As such, these conditions are granted for service connection.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral shoulder instability is not warranted. The Veteran's initial claim was denied in November 1980, and a final denial became effective on August 26, 2003 when he submitted his reopened claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of any current post-polio syndrome, including left shoulder, arm, and leg, that may be present. Additionally, a VA social and industrial survey will be conducted to determine if there is any form of employment the Veteran could perform without regard to his nonservice-connected disorders.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's impingement syndrome of the left shoulder was granted a compensable rating (20%) effective April 1, 2010. The initial grant of service connection for this condition prior to November 12, 2005 is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the cause of any current left shoulder disorder, and additional medical records are needed. The Veteran's service connection claim for his claimed conditions will be remanded.