Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder. The claims of service connection for a low back disability, joint pain, hepatitis C, and tinea pedis are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied claim for service connection for chronic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and nerve damage to the cervical spine, left shoulder, and left arm, claimed as secondary to surgical removal of ribs (now, status post removal of the first and cervical ribs for thoracic outlet syndrome).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The RO must schedule the Veteran for a Board hearing at the RO with notice provided to him at his current address.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of service treatment records, requiring further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected subacromial impingement of the left shoulder with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to inadequate findings from a previous VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability during the period from March 9, 2009 to December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA records and examination. The case will be returned to the Board once these are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the local RO. The issues of service connection and rating remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder or cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals regarding the right shoulder disability from July 29, 2009, and posterior anal fissure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee arthritis with limitation of motion is granted, while the claims for service connection and reopening are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it is not related to the issues on appeal.,Service connection for epididymitis was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD but did not reach this issue due to other pending issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder sling and ankle brace are causing wear on his clothing, but they are no longer needed due to the improvement in his condition. The Board grants an annual clothing allowance for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, and erectile dysfunction were denied as secondary to his service-connected glaucoma.

The Board granted service connection for right brachial plexopathy as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability and granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the right shoulder disability from June 9, 2006. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 26, 2012. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation remains denied.