Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, manifested by right rotator cuff tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to an injury during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis is rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2004 to April 5, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination and did not provide good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder strain with bursitis, left knee strain, and lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right and left shoulder conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent disabling effective June 19, 2009. The RO found that the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability was denied, and the issue of service connection for a right wrist/arm disability as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder disability was also denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of fibrous union or ankylosis warranting higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for a right shoulder disorder is timely, and thus assumes jurisdiction over this matter. The claim will be addressed further in the Remand portion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as a non-service connected disability causes his employment limitations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been pending since her initial claim in 2006. The Board has now reopened the left shoulder disorder claim, but remains unable to grant a disability evaluation due to lack of evidence establishing a current diagnosis.,The Veteran also testified that she is receiving Social Security benefits based on her disabilities, which should be reviewed by SSA.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the 30 percent disability rating is restored.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuance of an SOC regarding his claim of service connection for residuals of bilateral shoulder injury. The issues of service connection for hypertension, increased rating for lumbar spine strain, and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability are referred back to the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder on a direct basis due to lack of credible evidence of an in-service injury.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's headaches to his service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity swelling was not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 100%, meeting the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, the weight of medical opinion and other evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or aggravation during service, and the preexisting hypertension was not aggravated by service.