Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are deemed to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to service, including her hysterectomy and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a current disability for headaches or bruxism. For muscle spasms of bilateral shoulders, the underlying preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that he did not submit new and material evidence.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected, but the Board finds that his unexplained joint pains are at least in equipoise with service connection. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that a bilateral shoulder disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which corresponds to limitation of abduction to no less than 90 degrees. The claim for an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than this level of impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability related to his in-service injuries or events.,Service connection has been granted for residuals of left leg fracture (left lower extremity radiculopathy).

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side, which is required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have bilateral hearing loss or a right shoulder disorder for which service connection is warranted. The claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety) remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative right shoulder impingement syndrome was not found to warrant a higher disability rating prior to November 28, 2007, and from March 1, 2008, the condition has not been manifested by limitation of arm to 25 degrees from side; or fibrous union of humerus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disorder. The claim for residuals of dental trauma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of reopening claims for left shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder in April 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported history regarding his left shoulder disorder is not credible and there was no evidence suggesting a basis for awarding direct service connection. The VA medical opinion did not find evidence of permanent aggravation by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to August 3, 2009. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained as the evidence does not show ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of onset during or related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current back and shoulder disorders are related to his military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis, and left wrist spur were denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection is granted for right shoulder arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease as these conditions are found to be related to military service.