Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder SFW residuals did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they were only indicative of moderate impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement and right elbow disorder are related to his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his military service and therefore, denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and a hearing loss condition, did not render him unemployable prior to May 5, 2005. The Board found that the disability alone was not severe enough to prevent substantial gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for bilateral tinnitus and denied the claim. For bursitis in the left shoulder, the Board noted that while there was some history of treatment during service, the first documented complaint occurred years after discharge, and the VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely due to noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and cardiovascular condition, as well as his claim for TDIU. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the available schedular evaluation was adequate and no additional evidence supported a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected residuals of post-operative left shoulder rotator cuff tear and to determine whether a pre-existing right shoulder disability was aggravated during active service.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and chest, left upper thigh, and abdomen. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions in June 1969.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, are considered in determining whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder pain are as likely as not a result of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder strain. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including providing the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any right shoulder condition found to be present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right arm or hand disability that is attributable to military service, or was caused or made worse by service-connected disability. The Veteran's stomach disorder and sinusitis are also not found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective April 19, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a chronic bilateral shoulder disability during service and there is no current evidence of such disability. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not secondary to his service-connected right arm injury and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5201 and 5203. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation or fibrous union, nonunion (false flail joint) or loss of head (flail joint) of the humerus.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.