Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service, including his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in the Air Force Reserve from 1977 to 1993. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is warranted from April 20, 2006. The facial scar and left shoulder disorders do not meet or approximate criteria warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow and knee disorders has been remanded due to ambiguities in the record and the need for medical opinions regarding the existence and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule him for additional examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right shoulder conditions are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome prior to March 13, 2008, were rated at 20 percent. From June 1, 2008, the rating was increased to 20 percent for his right shoulder condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent right shoulder sprain and residuals of left and right ankle strain has been granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 3, 2010.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability are found to be related to service. However, the residuals of a head injury are not considered due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, characterized by some limitation of motion and recurrent dislocation, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral shoulder blade dislocation is denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit this information.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 25, 2011 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 12, 2009 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm, elbow, and shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including traumatic brain injury, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep disorder, bilateral elbow disability, hearing loss of the left ear, tinnitus, cold weather injuries of the upper and lower extremities, are not supported by the evidence. The Board has determined that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory condition and bronchitis/pleurisy, were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The exposure basis was presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder and arm disability, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's current symptoms of left shoulder pain are related to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran was not exposed to mustard gas during service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities based on such exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection either.

The Veteran's hypertension, hiatal hernia, low back disorder, arthritis of the shoulders and knees, and left shoulder disability are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right hip disability, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, stomach disorder, and others. The decision also addressed the Veteran's employment status.