Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder injury is not service-connected. However, he has been granted service connection for cervical spine sprain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, as well as lumbar spine sprain and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including a VA examination and notification regarding new and material evidence requirements.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disability during service and denied the claim for service connection. The earlier effective date claim was also denied as there is no indication that the Veteran's current right ankle, right calf scar, or right shoulder disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify her periods of active duty and inactive duty for training, obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of her right shoulder, elbow, and back disorders, and consider her claim under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 (West 2002 & Supp. 2009) concerning undiagnosed illnesses.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by limited range of motion, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for low back, bilateral shoulder, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back disability, residuals of right shoulder injury, and residuals of left shoulder injury are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her multiple, severely disabling physical disabilities, including significant visual acuity and field of vision disorders. The evidence supports a finding that she requires assistance with activities such as dressing, basic hygiene, feeding, toileting, bending to tie shoe laces, and walking at night.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is likely due to injuries sustained during his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by moderate limitation of motion, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 31, 2006, due to her service-connected disabilities meeting the regulatory requirements for TDIU. Her combined rating at that time was 80 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right hip disorders are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The issues of a compensable rating for residuals of left shoulder dislocation, as well as TDIU, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling orthopedic and neurological examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, post-surgical repair, did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and degenerative disease, lumbar and lower thoracic spine due to lack of current disabilities and no etiological relationship.