Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diarrhea has been granted, with a current effective date of April 17, 2009.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, sleep apnea, nephrolithiasis with left back pain, and residuals of hyperextension injury of the right wrist. The appeal regarding these claims is granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder AC separation is manifested by pain and limitation of motion, with abduction to 150 degrees. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and degenerative arthritis disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a left ankle disability, neck disability, right hip and shoulder disabilities, PTSD, bilateral hand and hip disabilities, and low back disability. The decision also addressed other issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's other claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The hiatus hernia claim was withdrawn, and the below-the-knee amputation claim is denied due to lack of a nexus between the service-connected cold injury residuals and the amputation. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine and both shoulders remains pending as the original denial in 1969 did not include these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily orthopedic in nature, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for Reiter's syndrome and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous Board decisions. The Veteran was not provided adequate notice of VA examinations, which may have affected his ability to report for these exams. Further development is required including scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of a current underlying disorder associated with the Veteran's complaints, and thus denied service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to a moderately severe muscle injury. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his condition and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the case has been remanded for additional medical examination to determine if these conditions alone are sufficient to prevent him from pursuing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder with headaches, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by limited range of motion and recurrent sharp pain, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to her military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability and loss of use of his left arm, resulting from surgery performed at a VA medical facility on March 8, 2005. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine whether the Veteran experienced additional disability as a result of the surgery.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability. The Board has determined that the necessary VCAA notice has not been provided and additional evidence is needed, including private medical records from his orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20% prior to February 28, 2008 and increased to 30% since that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are issues regarding service connection for shoulder and spine disorders.