Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the period relevant to this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disability and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim for lumbar disc disease was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches has been granted. The initial evaluation for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia is set at 10 percent. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability is not warranted. A rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his shoulder disabilities and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for left shoulder strain, service connection for atrophic right kidney, thoracic spine disorder, hypertension, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, residuals of tubal ligation, and residuals of both bunionectomies. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the increased rating for left shoulder strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm and shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to his left shoulder disability, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the BUE, psychiatric disability, vision loss, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and bilateral feet problems are all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these disabilities to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder disability in service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current arthritis is not shown to be associated with his active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to December 16, 2008, and 20 percent from that date onwards. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left base of the neck and a left shoulder disability, secondary to a gunshot wound to the left base of the neck, were denied. The Veteran's muscle disability is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5301, while his shoulder disability is rated as 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma. However, the claims were denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability related to her service.

The Veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, cervical spine, shoulder, or low back disability that is shown to be related to active service. The Board finds clear and unmistakable evidence of the preexistence of these conditions prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide updated opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral shoulder bursitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. His postoperative acromioplasty of the right (dominant) shoulder is currently rated at 40 percent, with limitations on his activities of daily living due to pain, stiffness, weakness, and guarding.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left arm/shoulder disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be more severe than reflected by the current 10 percent rating, and a higher initial rating is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation in developing a rehabilitation plan, coupled with lack of mitigating circumstances, justified discontinuing his vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected thoracolumbar back disorder, right hip strain, and left shoulder strain.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims of service connection for a left shoulder and left knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not show that these disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including insomnia, skin disability, acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, right leg disability, and right shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The claim for hypertension was also denied as it was not incurred in service.