Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder conditions, diagnosed as degenerative changes and adhesive capsulitis, are related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, but granted service connection for bilateral ulnar neuropathy (CTS or CTS) as the Veteran currently has a disability manifested by the same symptoms of bilateral hand pain and decreased dexterity that were manifested during service. The other issues remained in denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted from January 12, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and right knee disability, finding that these disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment as of June 16, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims for increased ratings for left shoulder and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for residuals of a Bristow procedure for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder was denied. His TDIU claim due exclusively to service-connected residuals of a Bristow procedure for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder and left shoulder glenohumeral dislocation, including on an extraschedular basis, was also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since the onset of his service-connected condition. Effective November 17, 2009, and continuing to August 5, 2010, a temporary total evaluation was granted due to hospitalization for his shoulder condition. Since then, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition improved, warranting a reduction from 20% to 10%. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, as well as to determine if he has a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service. The conditions preexisted his military service, and there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing etiological opinions regarding his hip, shoulder, and joint pain disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia has been rated at 20 percent since November 1992. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist disabilities, to include cervical spine disc disease with radiculopathy, are not etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran does not have a current free-standing diagnosis of a sleep disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 12, 2013.