Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for GERD and left shoulder arthritis, but denied both on the merits. The claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD remains without legal merit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is incurred during his active duty service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left elbow degenerative arthritis will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a right shoulder disorder, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service onset. The claim for increased rating for gastritis and stomach ulcers was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee instability. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis is also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disorder during service and concluded that the current right shoulder conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scotomata of the right eye and a left shoulder condition were denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in July 2013.