Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim was also denied as her service-connected disability alone does not render her unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the effective date for the assignment of a 30 percent rating was set at October 1, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder condition, right knee disorder, and cervical spine condition. However, it finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure or any other incident of service.

The Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, for the period from May 17, 2005 to November 15, 2007, is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain, right hand pain, and low back pain were denied as there was no current disability. The claim of service connection for a right ankle disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The VA denied a higher initial rating for left shoulder arthritis, finding that the condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 10%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 8, 1990 rating decision that reduced his disability ratings for post-operative recurrent dislocations of the right shoulder and left fifth metatarsal fracture.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The right shoulder strain and low back disability issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to January 28, 2008, is rated at 20 percent. After March 1, 2009, the Veteran's right knee disability (post-total knee replacement) warrants a rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a right foot disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which included recurrent dislocations and limited range of motion, was found to be productive of infrequent recurrences with pain and limited function. The current evaluation of 20 percent is deemed insufficient given the Veteran's symptoms and findings.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for the residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left arm and left buttock was granted, with a rating of 30 percent for each condition. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left shoulder injury, left eye injury, or nose injury during active duty service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, degenerative joint disease of the ankles, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right testicular condition are service-connected, with the remaining issues being denied. The Veteran experienced in-service noise exposure which is presumed to have caused his current tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a head injury remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability to include arthritis and an increased rating for the right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service, as well as current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine.