Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities began during service or are related to service in any other way.

The Veteran's nerve damage to the left leg has been rated as 10 percent disabling, which is appropriate given the symptoms described. The acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, PTSD) has been granted service connection and is considered a new issue due to reopened claims. Hypertension and sleep apnea have not been found to be related to service. Left shoulder and back disabilities are also not supported by the evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and eye problems, as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The other issues on appeal have been addressed but no rating assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and examinations. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, a right shoulder disability, and hypertension (on de novo review) are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and gastrointestinal disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as his left shoulder disability are all found to be related to service.,For the ankle disabilities, the Veteran's right ankle gout is found to have preexisted service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and disability of both feet and toes did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence of chronicity. The VA examiners found it speculative to provide an opinion on whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability in his knees and lower back. The claims for hand, wrist, and right shoulder conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with cervical canal stenosis and left shoulder myofascial pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues except the claim of PTSD with depression, which was resolved in his favor. The remaining claims are dismissed as they no longer have jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and addressing the claims of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for a right shoulder disability and related issues, finding that new evidence did not relate his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability allegedly caused by VA treatment on October 22, 2005. The case has been remanded to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding whether his current left shoulder disability is related to this incident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate with the claims file additional VA treatment records, Christian Hospital treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records. The claims will be returned for preparation of an addendum medical opinion regarding compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is manifested by flexion to no worse than 130 degrees, abduction to no worse than 110 degrees. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder or compensably disabling psychotic disorder within one year after discharge from active duty, and thus the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The right shoulder and left elbow disorders are also not related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that it is not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 1, 2009. The left knee disability remains at a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any chronic laryngitis/laryngopharyngeal reflux. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.