Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current left shoulder disorder, and therefore service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, a dental condition, a kidney disability, a right arm disability, and a low back disability. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for neck, bilateral shoulder, and right elbow disabilities. Service connection was not established for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, hypertension, and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the extension of a temporary total (100 percent) evaluation for his service-connected right shoulder disability was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for substance abuse as secondary to PTSD and left shoulder impingement, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's current bicipital tendonitis with subacromial impingement of the right shoulder was directly incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of instability or pain in his scars, and the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is directly related to his military service and grants service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a travel Board hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions and rating claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The Veteran's depression is found to be of service onset or secondary to a service-connected disability and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the highest available under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on additional functional impairment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for right ear hearing loss and scarring of the right shoulder as the appellant withdrew these claims prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and requests for Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and left foot disabilities, as well as the derivative TDIU claim raised during his hearing, are being remanded for further development.