Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder coracoacromial ligament strain, finding that his current condition is as likely as not attributable to his active military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of an audiometric examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and neck disability with associated headaches, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his right shoulder disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current disability rating. The Board also denied service connection for a shoulder disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and review of the claims file to determine the current severity of his service-connected left elbow and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left shoulder disability; radiculopathy of the left upper extremity; cervical spinal stenosis at C6-C7; and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed lumbar strain with DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The failure to report for VA examinations served only to deprive the Board of critical clarifying medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back, right shoulder, and left knee conditions are also under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left shoulder disorders are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including his in-service duties.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his shoulder disabilities. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including bilateral knees, hips, ankles, shoulders and elbows and the left wrist, is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder involving Muscle Groups I, II, and III have been denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in connection with these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include service connection claims and reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that a medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. If so, service connection for this condition would be granted.