Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and ganglion cyst have been found to be related to his active duty service. The left leg disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (Major depressive disorder), sleep apnea, bruxism, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) are not currently shown or related to the Veteran's service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for chronic right wrist strain, chronic left wrist strain, biceps tendonitis of the right shoulder, and biceps tendonitis of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder AC degenerative joint disease and left Achilles tendonitis are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability (cervical radiculopathy) and bilateral foot disabilities (corns, hallux valgus, and cold exposure residuals), finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. The effective date is not specified.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to verify an in-service injury involving a stolen ammunition truck, as claimed by the Veteran.

The appellant's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are service-connected and do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's impingement syndrome of the right shoulder has been rated at 40 percent, which is already the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The left shoulder disability was initially rated at 20 percent and increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation, including a VA eye examination to determine the extent of the Veteran's blepharospasm and its impact on his sleep disorder. The AOJ should also schedule a VA examination of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation and developing a dose estimate based on possible radiation exposure during service. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he did not meet the threshold percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his case was referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The Director determined that a TDIU is not warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and shoulder disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right leg disability were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the disabilities to his period of military service, and there was insufficient evidence to support secondary or 1151 claims.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left hip disorder, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, fibromyalgia, neck disorder, low back disorder, or right knee disorder.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for his right shoulder disability. The Board has determined that no such earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right brachial plexus injury with shoulder and elbow deficits and sensory deficits of the right wrist and hand was denied in April 1985, but he filed a request to reopen his claim on February 20, 1991. The RO granted service connection effective from February 20, 1991.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder arthritis and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances were also denied in April 1985, but he filed a request to reopen his claim on July 11, 2000. The RO granted service connection effective from July 11, 2000.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, right elbow, shoulder arthritis, left ear hearing loss, and dermatitis. The appeals were not successful.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability due to a previous decision that relied on an opinion obtained under misleading circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected left ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from December 30, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent for this condition.