Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a right arm disability and remanded the claims for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a present disability related to the appellant's right shoulder injury, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that one or more of the Veteran's service-connected conditions substantially contributed to his death, as evidenced by a VA medical expert opinion. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any residual scars from fragment wounds to the back, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an examination to assess his employability and considering whether all of his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome with post-op acromioplasty and excision of the distal clavicle was granted a 20 percent evaluation since January 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a compensable rating for headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a higher rating of 60 percent since January 13, 2010. His left shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Board also found that he met the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DJD of the right shoulder, finding that new evidence supports a link between these conditions and service. The Board also found that the disabilities are directly related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his keloid formations of the right shoulder, hands, forehead, right knee, and right foot is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The current rating of 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability will be reconsidered.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder and arm disability distinct from his already service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, nor can it be attributed to an in-service injury or low back disability. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and diabetes mellitus, Type II were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder shell fragment wound residuals do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 19, 2009. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded as it involves an attempt to obtain an appropriate rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder disability, left shoulder osteopenia, and hypothyroidism were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck injury, shoulder injury, back injury, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.