Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, but reopened his claim for cervical spine disorder due to new evidence. His sleep apnea was also denied as it was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference Board hearing. The Veteran did not attend his scheduled hearing and requested rescheduling due to an address change.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disorders did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 40 percent since October 3, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for left shoulder residual scarring associated with status post complete reconstruction of the left shoulder with residuals and recurrent injury, evaluated as 10 percent prior to August 3, 2011, and as 30 percent on and after August 3, 2011, has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the March 2008 rating decision is cumulative and does not relate to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition. As such, the Veteran's application to reopen this claim is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by limitation of arm motion midway between side and shoulder level, without dislocation, nonunion or loose union. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm injury and arthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left shoulder disabilities. These conditions are deemed to have been incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of the service connection theory.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been restored, and the TDIU claim is denied as there is no evidence showing that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the right shoulder condition claim due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The PTSD claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, while his left shoulder and low back disabilities are not. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand and arm disability in addition to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right MCP joints and wrist was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, residuals of right foot cold injury, and residuals of left foot cold injury have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran is requesting increased ratings or effective date changes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, hand disability, and hip disability are granted as they are considered direct service connections due to cold injury exposure.