Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation with residual capsular laxity and instability, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 14, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected bursitis of the shoulders and residuals of an upper back injury are currently rated at their maximum levels. The VA examiner will assess whether these conditions, especially his bursitis of the shoulders and residuals of an upper back injury, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right eye disorder, severe chronic back pain, severe chronic neck pain, or right knee disorder attributable to his military service. High cholesterol and hypertension were also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board by videoconference has been noted, and he is scheduled to have one at the next available opportunity. The appeal remains in remanded status due to this hearing request.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder DJD and heart condition are both service-connected. The right shoulder DJD is considered incurred in service, while the heart condition may not be presumed to have been incurred due to military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disorder should be August 10, 1949 due to clear and unmistakable error in assigning an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims of diabetes mellitus, type II; cervical spine disorder; and left shoulder disorder were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claims for cervical spine disorder and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for thoracolumbar strain is granted. The claims for bilateral shoulder disability and right knee disability are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Social Security Administration and arranging for an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran's left foot disability is found to be proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and right shoulder arthritis, have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and left wrist fracture, finding no new evidence to reopen the claims and concluding that any current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive airway disease (claimed as bronchitis) and rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right shoulder subluxation, status post surgical stabilization. The claim for a compensable rating for right hallux valgus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cold weather injury residuals to the legs, right arm, and right shoulder was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional evaluations granted as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not service-connected as it cannot be medically attributed to any injury, disease or event during active military service. Arthritis of the left shoulder may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.