Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including arthritis and impingement syndrome, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service. The evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by a shrapnel wound and scar, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating during this time frame.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and left shoulder impingement have been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned for migraine headaches since January 6, 2014, and the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent has been assigned for left shoulder impingement since January 6, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoma of the left shoulder is directly related to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether referral under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b) is warranted.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to support the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service, nor may they be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left arm neuralgia, previously characterized as left shoulder thoracic outlet syndrome, is evaluated at 10 percent and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU from February 1, 2014; his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including rating adjustments for various disabilities, an effective date claim for TDIU, and a need for additional medical examinations. The case is being remanded to obtain these necessary steps.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his joint pain is related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and whether it can be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as the Board found that VA did not cause his additional disability of metastatic melanoma to the brain, right lung, and small bowel due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection and increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and shoulder conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or other factors warranting a higher rating. The current 30 percent ratings are considered appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the VA examiner provided medical opinions that the claimed disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and post-operative residuals of a right shoulder injury have been granted service connection. The rating for the right shoulder injury has not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The case will be scheduled for another hearing before the Board.