Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, it is not warranted to grant an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, qualifying for special monthly compensation benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, and left foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability warranted a 20 percent evaluation from June 29, 2001 to February 28, 2002. After this period, the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board has ordered the case remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right shoulder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder or bilateral shoulder disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a left knee disorder related to service or service-connected conditions, and the lumbosacral strain and left clavicle fracture residuals did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and pancreatitis. The anxiety disorder is found to be related to active service, but the left shoulder disorder and pancreatitis are not found to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, finding that new evidence supports a link to service. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and left thigh scar, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's combined disability evaluation of 40 percent does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU entitlement, as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left thumb scar, residuals of cuts on his forearm, shoulder and chest, and PTSD are all service-connected. The scars were incurred during service due to injuries sustained while using a knife or in an attack by another individual. The PTSD is linked to a traumatic event during service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left foot, low back disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a fractured head of the left radius (elbow), chronic left shoulder strain, DJD of the cervical spine C5, C6, C7, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and failure to obtain all relevant post-service treatment records.

The veteran's initial evaluations for shrapnel wounds of the left arm and right shoulder were denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity or retained shrapnel fragments, respectively.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder and hand disability, finding that the range of motion is limited to shoulder level. The veteran's right hand injury does not warrant separate evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee, shoulder, and skin conditions were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shoulder, hand, or wrist disorders and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which he is seeking service connection. The evidence does not support a finding of any relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.