Shoulder Board decisions

For the period prior to February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated as 10% disabling and his low back strain as 10% disabling.,Beginning February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated at 20% and his low back strain remained at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder dislocations and subluxations are currently rated as 10% prior to February 6, 2015 and 20% beginning that date. His low back strain remains at 10% since the initial grant of service connection in August 2008.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not entitled to a higher rating based on its current manifestations, as it does not meet the criteria for nonunion of the clavicle with loose movement or dislocation of the clavicle. The low back strain remains at 10% since August 2008.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, residuals of a fractured fibula claimed as secondary to a right knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2009.

The Veteran's headaches, neck condition, and shoulder condition are found to be related to his service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on all three issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and left arm disability that he contends are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will provide further examination and opinion on these issues.,The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will provide further examination and opinion on the severity of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2011 for the grant of service connection for left shoulder impingement was denied. The claim was reopened and granted on that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since October 27, 2012.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not originate in service or until many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, bilateral knee, and toe disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during her military service or within one year of separation. The gynecological disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder disorder and left arm disorder involving numbness in the arm and hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a right shoulder injury during active duty and there is no probative evidence linking a current right shoulder disability to active duty. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury is denied.

The Veteran has been unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities since March 5, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar. The evidence did not support finding a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee injury, low back disability (claimed as secondary to a left knee injury), right shoulder disability (claimed as right shoulder bursitis), and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right shoulder and low back disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The March 2014 VA examiner concluded that the current right shoulder impingement is not related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right foot, and left shoulder disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability was not found to be incurred in or due to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially residuals of lumbar strain, left and right knee chondromalacia, left and right ankle strains, and left and right foot plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants a TDIU.