Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran does not have a back disability, to include a left lower extremity nerve disability, a neck disability, a knee disability, a shoulder disability, an ankle disability, or a hip disability, that is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires additional development and remand for several issues, including scheduling a videoconference hearing for tinnitus, obtaining clarification on the etiology of his right shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and considering whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran is granted service connection for the claimed disabilities due to exposure to test agents used during Project SHAD, effective November 25, 2002. However, he is not entitled to an earlier effective date as his claim remained pending until the grant of service connection in August 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is not related to his service-connected knee and foot conditions, thus denying service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an unadjudicated claim of service connection for a right shoulder labrum injury. The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery in September 2012 is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been granted. The initial compensable rating for right shoulder bursitis prior to January 29, 2013 has also been granted.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain any outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present during service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability, including his left lower extremity disabilities and heart condition, effectively precludes him from locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. He is therefore entitled to specially adapted housing benefits.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been manifested by pain/aching and limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. The tumors of the upper right shoulder and left arm are also found to be related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to August 24, 2013, and at 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,For the right shoulder disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including to afford the Veteran a VA examination with regard to his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and to consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a 10 percent evaluation since February 8, 2005. The evidence shows painful motion but no limitation of motion to shoulder level or worse.

The Veteran's residuals of a neck injury with radiculopathy of the left shoulder and arm do not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's skin cancer, diagnosed as melanoma of the left shoulder and carcinoma of the nose, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his active duty service, including sun exposure or herbicide exposure in Vietnam.