Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and Epstein Barr Virus.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records, clarify the nature and extent of his psychiatric conditions, and determine if he has any current respiratory or skin disorders. The specific issues on appeal will be addressed once this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, and foot conditions, as well as cardiac disorder, acute MI, urinary disorder, and hyperthyroidism, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), and chronic disability due to substance abuse. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for a chronic disability due to substance abuse.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 1, 2004.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral eye disability (including bilateral cataracts), and tinnitus due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are pending further action.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orange Park Medical Center from July 26 - August 1, 2012 were approved as the services rendered were for a disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, as well as a claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current cervical spine, bilateral hip and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's VA employee treatment records from 1983-1984. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 26, 2014 and increased to 20 percent effective February 26, 2014.,Since March 13, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim on the merits. The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between the current diagnosis and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his neck disability claim, and thus must be remanded. The VA examinations and opinions need to address whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, depression, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, right shoulder, bilateral elbow, and bilateral knee conditions were not related to service or manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection was denied for all issues.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2012 calendar year due to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with limited motion, which resulted in a rigid back brace issued by VA.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially rated at 10 percent from September 1, 1994 to April 17, 2012. The rating was increased to 20 percent effective March 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and OPM records, and scheduling a VA examination for the right shoulder disorder.