Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's right shoulder disability effective from May 26, 2005.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability and has also granted TDIU based on his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis, impairment of the humerus, or limitation of arm motion to shoulder level.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for PTSD, as well as secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, will also be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his in-service cold exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including from the VA hospitals in New Orleans and Washington D.C., as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic stomach condition, chronic neck pain with right shoulder numbness, and a right arm condition. The veteran's stomach condition was granted as it was incurred during active military service. Service connection for the neck and right shoulder conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service. Service connection for the right arm condition was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his conditions are manageable with assistance from family members.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board once this is done.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, following a total right shoulder replacement, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 60 percent assigned. The service connection claim for a separate right arm disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right arm and shoulder, PTSD, schizophrenia, a low back disorder, a left knee disorder, a hip disorder, and a right foot disorder. The decision is final as it pertains to the issues of service connection for schizophrenia and the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current right and left shoulder disabilities to his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and sinus disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hand disorder, left shoulder impingement, skin rash, diabetes mellitus, sarcoma, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder injury, documented in service and continuing after separation, qualifies for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depression, schizophrenia, agoraphobia, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the low back, right arm pain (major), left arm pain, and left shoulder pain. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 40 percent rating, which is the next higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck and shoulder conditions are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of any injury or disease during service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability since service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders.