Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and effective date prior to September 5, 2008 were denied. The left shoulder disability is rated as 10 percent disabling under the Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5201.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation was dismissed due to withdrawal. The claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia and anal fissure, status post sphincterectomy, as well as the claim for a higher rating for depressive disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right heel condition and right shoulder rotator cuff tear with surgery are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability, residuals of burns of the left hand, and left knee disability. Service connection was denied for testicular pain.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied as he does not meet the criteria under VA regulations, specifically failing to have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused by his active military service. The VA examiner noted normal hearing at separation from service, and there is no evidence of post-service treatment for sensorineural hearing loss until approximately five years after discharge. For the shoulder condition, there is no competent medical evidence of a current left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claims for arthritis of various joints are being reviewed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent due to service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disorders do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are found to be service-connected, with no effective date provided as the appeal is for a grant of benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, specifically a neck disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, or left shoulder disability. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation assistance, or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5010 (degenerative joint disease), does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but is presumed due to a post-service injury. The right knee disability is also not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and spine conditions, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support the current diagnoses.,Service connection could not be established for any of the claimed disabilities due to a lack of credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of these areas was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations, including a need for an orthopedics specialist examination of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and opinions regarding the relationship between his low back and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder injury is not related to his military service or any service-connected condition.