Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on the range of motion and symptoms reported.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The VA examiner provided rationale for each condition, concluding that there was no link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 1999, to February 2000.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate examination for each issue on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disorder that is due to disease or injury incurred in service. The VA examiner found no medical relationship between the current left shoulder problem and any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 22, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right arm and left arm disabilities, as well as psychiatric disorder (listed as depression) and COPD, all secondary to service-connected conditions or other causes. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder has been rated at 10 percent since May 29, 2006. The current rating is considered appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a cervical spine injury, including cervical radiculopathy at C5 and C6 and involving the left upper extremity, are related to an injury in service and grants service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), residuals of a head injury to include memory loss and seizures, and varicose veins. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder and elbow disorders, as well as a left ankle disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are believed to be due to injuries sustained during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities do not warrant evaluations in excess of 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The evidence did not show ankylosis or fibrous union of the humerus, nor limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side for either shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss or a nexus to service.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's cognitive disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's seizure disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.,For the increased rating period prior to August 22, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's headaches met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on symptomatology that is more nearly approximating characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the course of several months.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period prior to April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disorder that began in service or is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the cause of death is service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the left shoulder service connection issue is resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left shoulder separation/dislocation is granted, as his current disability is due to an injury incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits documentation.