Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's arthritis, including of the feet, legs, back, shoulder, and hands, was not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board finds that there is no causal connection between the Veteran's service and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the AOJ is directed to refer his TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral vision loss, bilateral foot arthritis, left knee arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and left hand arthritis are not related to service. The Veteran's current conditions have been diagnosed as a result of post-service treatment and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a functional gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, joint pain with numbness of the left shoulder and neck, and folliculitis were granted as they are presumed to be due to her service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been reopened based on new evidence, but the Board has not yet assigned a specific rating for each condition due to ongoing appeals and remands.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the impact of the Veteran's service-connected joint disabilities on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, or left lower extremity that is related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's recurrent ear infections are considered new and material evidence to reopen his claim, but he does not have a current disability of atrophy of the brain.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating prior to October 11, 2011 and found no basis for a higher initial or subsequent rating from October 11, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was not manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level prior to August 10, 2015. As of August 10, 2015, the disability has been manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level but not to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right elbow s/p knot removal; and to left elbow-arm secondary to left shoulder. The Veteran's other claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability and arthritis of multiple joints. The underlying claims, including those regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for scars, status post right shoulder surgery, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's skin disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service event, injury or disease, and there was no exposure to Agent Orange.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an increased rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for a skin rash, left shoulder disability, degenerative osteoarthritis, and left eye disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA social and industrial survey to assess the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder pain is not a separate disability, but rather secondary to her service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with specific evaluations assigned. The lumbar spine condition was initially evaluated as not meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to February 17, 2011 and from August 16, 2011 onwards. For cervical spine disability, initial compensable evaluation was denied prior to August 16, 2011 but granted at 20 percent thereafter. The left shoulder condition received a compensable evaluation starting from August 16, 2011. Right knee and benign prostatic hypertrophy conditions were initially evaluated as non-compensable. Right-side sciatica was evaluated as moderately severe since January 27, 2015. Hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service records show a shrapnel wound in the right posterior axilla area during his military service. The Board has found that he currently has residuals of this injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee replacements and limited range of motion in the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His acquired psychiatric disability is also service connected as secondary to his orthopedic conditions.