Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review, as they are not ready for final decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome is currently rated at 30 percent for the portion of the appeal period from August 19, 1999. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing severe impairment of Muscle Group I.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, arthralgia of the shoulders and ankles, and stomach disorder due to a lack of current disabilities. The Veteran is also no longer entitled to service connection for bilateral ankle disorders as they were granted separately.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and a scar from lipoma excision on his back are service-connected. The appeal for residuals of lipomas is dismissed as the Veteran does not have any such condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings as she withdrew her claims for kidney stones and right knee disability prior to the decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was granted, and she is currently receiving a 10 percent rating. However, her appeal sought an increased rating beyond the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, but his claims for back condition, left shoulder DJD, and left elbow degenerative arthritis are all granted as they are considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding hepatitis C. The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the back, neck, right shoulder, right arm, right leg, left leg, and left arm due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the effect of his service-connected bilateral pes planus on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to his in-service use of IV drugs and high-risk sexual activity. Service connection for a left leg condition and a left shoulder condition are denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or continuity of symptomatology following service.

The Veteran's request for an increased initial evaluation for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by tendonitis rotator cuff impingement syndrome and arthritis, is rated at a minimum of 10 percent due to limitation of motion. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's recurrent right lower thoracic pain with right shoulder drop and mild atrophy, effective from July 29, 2009. The Veteran was previously rated as 10 percent disabling prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or the conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to May 29, 1997.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and lower back is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back or shoulder disability and bilateral knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current left shoulder disability is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, and thus denied the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for right shoulder impingement syndrome was withdrawn.,The Veteran's left clavicle fracture is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed left shoulder condition and heart condition. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.