Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify his hearing loss and arthritis diagnoses, as well as to determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the threshold rating criteria for consideration of a TDIU, but further examination is needed to determine if his PTSD alone renders him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left shoulder calcific tendonitis.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected status-post crush injury of the left anterior ribs, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder condition and determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim is part of his increased rating claim. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from obtaining or retaining employment.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, concluding that the right shoulder disability existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left elbow and shoulder is being remanded due to inadequate examination, incomplete VA treatment records, and need for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. The claim for a separate 10% rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 was denied as his other conditions are already compensated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining VA outpatient records from prior to December 2007.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are either diagnosed after service or not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's joint problems, including osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, bilateral knees, and bilateral hips, were not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The Board also could not establish a connection between these conditions and his service-connected meningitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected right shoulder injury is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, post-hemiarthroplasty, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee, tendonitis of the right shoulder and wrist, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from March 1, 2008 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, left shoulder and hip disabilities, and a back disability) may prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the back and right shoulder did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, nor is it causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his chronic sinusitis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is related to military noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the right wrist, ankles, and shoulders was also granted based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have resulted in significant limitations that require regular aid and attendance. The Board finds the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.