Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The other claims are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right shoulder fracture are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition and left shoulder dislocation. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left thumb and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder. The Veteran is also not entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and to reopen his claim for recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder. The decision also noted that he had already been granted service connection for the left shoulder sprain in 1948.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand osteoarthritis and right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis effective July 21, 1992. The Veteran's original claim of entitlement to service connection was received on April 6, 1953, but he did not specifically request service connection for these conditions at that time.

The Veteran's residuals of head trauma with headaches, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are currently rated at 30%, 20%, and 20% respectively. The appeals for higher ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder instability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of arthritis or degenerative changes in the joint.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disabilities and sleep apnea, are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for the Veteran's claimed back and shoulder conditions, thus denying his service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis with rotator cuff tear is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient to compensate for his symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his left rib arthritis and its potential effects on his shoulder condition and low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service and VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the VA examination that includes a medical opinion on aggravation.

The Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder condition, consisting of recurrent dislocations with surgical repair, was aggravated by service resulting in capsular laxity. The Board found that the positive apprehensive sign for laxity found on examination was due to military training and more likely than not caused a strain of the capsular structures of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, left ankle fracture, and degenerative joint disease of the left hip have been denied. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a left shoulder disability or radiculopathy to the arm, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board denied all three issues of service connection, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disorder were not related to his military service. The Board also found that any hallux valgus and metatarsus primus varus and left ankle sprain as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability was not established.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability with shoulder blade pain and shakiness of knees, and urinary/kidney stone disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service.