Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his depression and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to November 18, 2011 was not fully addressed due to a procedural error. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right side flank or shoulder disorder and bilateral vision impairment, finding that the conditions were more likely due to natural aging process and post-service medical treatment, respectively.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and denied service connection for residuals of appendicitis with ruptured colon. The Veteran's current neck disability is found to be related to his military service, while there is no evidence linking the residuals of appendicitis to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an extension to February 18, 2009 for a temporary total evaluation based on the service-connected left shoulder arthritis requiring a period of convalescence.

The Board found that the Veteran's injuries were not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA medical providers. The additional disabilities were not due to an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied. The Board also remanded the TDIU claim, which is currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, head, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities of the shoulders and knees did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, nor are they otherwise related to such service. The claims were denied.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, effective February 6, 2012. The previous ratings were assigned from March 4, 2005 to January 23, 2007, and from August 1, 2007 to February 5, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of left hip disability, back disability, left shoulder disability, right eye blindness, and basal cell carcinoma, right cheek including secondary to inservice exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing on his claims of service connection for left shoulder, elbow, and ring finger disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeals regarding service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and a left shoulder disability. The diabetes mellitus, type I, is rated at 100 percent due to its severity.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate diagnostic codes for his fibromyalgia manifestations and considering if combining separate ratings would provide a higher evaluation than the current 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and his scar on the right shoulder is separately rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, were incurred during active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lung condition (to include pneumonia), chronic eye pain (both eyes and a history of horseshoe tear of left eye, status post-right eye laser repair), and chronic bone and body pain (bilateral shoulder pain; arm, neck, back, and wrist pain).

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claims for increased ratings are denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.