Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 40 percent since May 4, 2007. The condition is characterized by pain throughout the range of motion without evidence of ankylosis or other severe functional impairment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for joint disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected heart condition. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current knee, shoulder, hip, and/or back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the absence of medical evidence regarding fibrous union of his right arm during the rating periods in question.

The veteran's PTSD has been restored to a 70 percent evaluation, effective May 1, 2007. The Board also found that the veteran is entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the appellant's left shoulder disability, but granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the hands, shoulders, knees, and feet did not have its onset during service or within one year thereafter. The VA examination reports concluded that any current arthritis was not caused by military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating above the assigned levels or reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right shoulder disability and dermatitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's conditions, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on housebound status as he does not have a single permanent disability rated at 100% or more and is not permanently confined to his home.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including eye condition, right shoulder disability, kidney disorder, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The issues were previously adjudicated as final due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for a low back disability and right shoulder disability has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his request for a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. J.P. and any other relevant treatment or evaluation records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims due to exposure to ionizing radiation, including an examination of the Veteran's occupational history and potential exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for gastritis was granted, as well as the reopened claims for service connection for numbness of the right hand (carpal tunnel syndrome) and left hand (carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable evaluations were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, nephrolithiasis, and Peyronie's disease did not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of his right shoulder, groin, testes, or left knee. For the lumbar spine condition, while a current disability is present, there is no evidence to support service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence and insufficient medical nexus evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and granted. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD, right shoulder disability, and brachial plexus injury remains pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by painful and limited motion, has been rated at 10 percent since November 2, 2003. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.