Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's service-connected scars/burns of the right and left shoulders, but found that he is entitled to higher ratings under different diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back problems, a left leg condition, bilateral ankle condition, right shoulder condition, high blood pressure due to herbicide exposure, and an ulcer. The decision is not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has granted a 30 percent schedular rating and a 10 percent extraschedular rating for the Veteran's left shoulder strain. The case is being remanded to address the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis, as well as service connection for a systemic disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder impingement disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found no current disability of the right shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right hip, or right knee and thus denied service connection for these disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a fractured skull, severe disfigurement of the face, left shoulder disability, and diplopia of the right eye, are considered in determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disorder as of September 13, 2007. The effective date remains June 8, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected scars and hearing loss have been granted.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder, characterized by pain, soreness, popping, and occasional dislocations, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left or right wrist disorders, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as some conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illnesses. The Board found that other conditions could be attributed to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice provided in connection with the Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for a bilateral shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hands. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a disability of the right side of the chest bone (sternum) are not supported by competent evidence. Further development is needed to determine if there is any current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee were all granted. The Board found that there was at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, a thoracic spine disability (claimed as a right shoulder disability), and tinnitus. The Veteran's hearing loss claim was withdrawn by the Veteran before the decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations if necessary. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.