Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's current left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no direct link between the appellant's current conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and an examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of the veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right and left shoulder injuries, low back strain with degenerative joint disease, left ankle injury, left elbow injury, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating will be reconsidered after obtaining the necessary medical records and conducting further evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine the current level of disability and whether his left shoulder disorder is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to increased ratings for various shoulder and hand conditions, as well as service connection for a bilateral eye disability and adjustment disorder. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder condition due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the preexisting injury was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 7, 2011. From October 7, 2011, a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, hearing loss, rotator cuff disability of the right shoulder with bone spur, post-operative cervical strain with spinal stenosis, allergic rhinitis, skin disability manifested by urticarial wheals, and loss of tooth No. 19.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether extraschedular consideration is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected shoulder disabilities, and also to address his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating or additional service connection. The scar of the left parietal area of the scalp, while present, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus in his right ear and granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative facet joint L5-S1 with bulge, lordosis, and spondylosis (back condition). The other issues were not addressed as the appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran. However, due to inclement weather and lack of transportation, the Veteran was unable to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The case is now being returned to the RO to reschedule the hearing.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder strain with chronic multi-directional instability, effective September 1, 2009. However, further development is needed to determine if a new VA examination is required due to changes in symptoms since the last examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, diagnosed as glenohumeral arthritis, was aggravated by service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his service, including as a result of an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder degenerative changes and impingement are likely related to his in-service supraspinatus tendonitis, granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.