Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be causally or etiologically due to service. Service connection for tinnitus is established.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for disability of the right hand, disability of the right shoulder, disability of the lumbosacral spine, and disability of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, arthritis, and right shoulder status post right rotator cuff repair with degenerative changes. The Board finds that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate consideration of his lay statements regarding lower extremity pain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the May 2010 VA examinations and the possibility of a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 (undiagnosed illnesses).

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, frostbite residuals of the left nipple, or frostbite residuals of the right nipple. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being reviewed to determine if it is related to his left shoulder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the submission of any outstanding medical evidence. The issues include higher initial ratings for his service-connected back and right shoulder disabilities, a TDIU claim, and an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right axilla phlebitis are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the claim was filed on June 17, 2011. The Veteran's other issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals are based on three different rating decisions. The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing to address his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder, including a torn rotator cuff, is not causally or etiologically related to his service and did not manifest within one year of discharge. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder degenerative arthritis is attributable to service, warranting service connection. The claim for a left bicep disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination regarding his right knee disability and scheduling of a videoconference hearing.