Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell's palsy as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The combined evaluation of his service-connected disabilities is currently at 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because an additional opinion is needed regarding the cumulative effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and status post rotator cuff repair of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder has been granted a 60 percent evaluation, effective from August 1, 2004. The low back disorder is rated at 40 percent since November 26, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease and right shoulder conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or any cold injuries during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, with radiculopathy in both shoulders, is currently rated at 40 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders were not related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left shoulder disability to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent, the right ankle disability was rated as 20 percent effective May 23, 2008, and the flat feet claim was not reopened.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant did not file a substantive appeal for the issue of an increased evaluation for multi-level degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's service connection claim for early entrapment syndrome and right shoulder disorder was granted, but he did not seek to increase his compensation for early entrapment syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder, including impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were granted, with the right distal radius fracture with degenerative changes of the wrist rated at 10 percent. The left elbow and right elbow disabilities are also service-connected as secondary to his hand impairment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision on the merits of the claims can be reached, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's dates of active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.