Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 13, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than July 13, 2007 for the award of a TDIU rating is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. However, further examination is needed to determine if his right shoulder, right foot, and left knee disabilities are also related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder bursitis with ulnar neuropathy, duodenal ulcer, tinnitus, right wrist sprain with small degenerative cyst, otitis media, and hemorrhoids, preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the point that he is unable to perform his current job, and the occupation for which he was previously rehabilitated remains suitable given his employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for any of the conditions she claims, including PTSD, hiatal hernia, hypertension, burn scar on the right middle finger, sleep disorder, hordeolum of the right eyelid, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the knees, arthritis of the feet, arthritis of the hands, arthritis of the wrists, arthritis of the elbows, and arthritis of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The most recent VA examination showed limited range of motion, but no additional limitation with repetitive use or pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's septic arthritis of the right shoulder is being remanded for additional development, including a travel board hearing. The appeal is related to secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck and shoulder condition is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. The upper back and shoulders disorder claim remains pending as an examination was not conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for drug and alcohol dependence, bilateral shoulder disorder, headache disorder, kidney disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, disturbances of motivation and mood), loss of smell, scars of the feet, and right eye disorder as they are not shown to have had their clinical onset during service or to be caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the hands, feet, shoulder, and back is being remanded due to inadequate examination in May 2010. The case will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The issue is now on remand for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, muscle fatigue, headaches, skin rash, and problems taking deep breaths, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement and residuals of rotator cuff repairs are rated at 20 percent, effective July 26, 2010. The service connection claim for a disorder of the spine or musculature of the neck or upper back is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, effective December 9, 2002. The Veteran's service-connected chronic left C7 radiculopathy and proximal brachial plexopathy have also been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, as the evidence does not show an injury in service or a current disability related to such.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for further development, including obtaining clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment history and scheduling him for a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed right leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer) and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness and left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks, right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, and left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer).