Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, sinusitis, and facial nerve disability secondary to TMJ surgery are all granted with increased ratings. The appeal for right shoulder sprain, right knee arthritis, IBS, and the postoperative scar is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by right neck and shoulder pain, to include torticollis, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Board finds that service connection is warranted based on in-service complaints and post-service diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, right shoulder, TMJ, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, neck disability, and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, migraine headaches, bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral shoulder disorders, a heart disorder, and a skin rash affecting the face, neck, and groin area are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a stomach disability (to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure), and bilateral ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed hearing loss or stomach condition that was incurred in service or due to Agent Orange exposure. The ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities were also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to consider his claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the left hand, right hip, or left shoulder that are due to cold weather exposure during service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders are not related to his active service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to injuries incurred during the Veteran's active service.,Service connection is established for a current diagnosis of left shoulder arthritis as it is considered direct service-connected. Right ear hearing loss is presumed due to combat in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right median nerve paralysis (carpal tunnel syndrome), and tendonitis and separation of the right shoulder as secondary to a prior work injury in 1988. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder pain, skin condition of the head and arms (including as due to herbicide exposure), hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year post-service, and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for the residuals of a left shoulder dislocation was granted, with an effective date set at July 8, 2005. The appeal is based on his contention that he should have received this rating earlier due to surgery performed in 1970.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral shoulder condition or neck condition that is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury was reopened. His claim for asbestosis was denied. The Board found that his left shoulder disorder, post-acromioplasty, warranted a 30% evaluation.