Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 20 percent rating. The claim for increased tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision. Service connection for low back disability, headaches, knee disabilities, hypertension, and shoulder disabilities have been established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU. The RO has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective October 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability and left foot disability, but service connection is not granted. The claim for a left hip condition remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it pertains to the character of discharge from October 24, 1997 to May 12, 2000 due to the appellant's agreement with the administrative determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected spine disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied.,Compensable ratings are not warranted for the right and left knee disabilities prior to February 28, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, thus the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's varicocele of the left testicle was found to have first manifested during service, and his bilateral shoulder pain is related to service. Service connection for both conditions has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the claims for service connection for residuals of a hamstring injury, chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, and right shoulder disability due to withdrawal. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability to include the shoulders, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service or current disability caused by or made worse by the service-connected low back strain.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left shoulder disability is reasonably shown to have resulted from his period of ACDUTRA, and therefore grants service connection for impingement and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, or left wrist/hand/finger disability that is etiologically related to service. However, the Veteran was found to have residuals of a fracture in his right hand that occurred during active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denies service connection for a right knee disability. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability remains pending as there was no determination on this issue in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil, arthritis of both shoulders, and tendinopathy of both hands. The cancers are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.