Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to his service-connected knee disorders and therefore, denied the claim for service connection. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine to his service-connected knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain in the shoulders, knees, and ankles as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent, effective September 21, 2017.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability and right shoulder disability are not related to service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for arthritis of various joints. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to address the nature and etiology of her current arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of his claims for service connection and increased evaluations. The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, which is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability, has been remanded due to the need for additional development and an opinion regarding whether any current right shoulder disability is related to service or pre-existed service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is attributable to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities prior to January 1, 2006 were denied as the evidence did not show that his shoulder conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 20% rating for his right shoulder disability was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 30% rating for furunculosis is pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his scar is not compensably disfigured. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The claims on appeal include issues related to knee conditions, shoulder condition, arthritis of heels and fingers, as well as service connection requests.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The medical evidence does not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, both of which are found to be incurred in service.,Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, residuals of a right eye injury, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The lumbar spine disorder claim is reopened but denied as there is no medical evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a right shoulder disability resulting from VA treatment is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining consent forms and providing clarification of the medical opinions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection at the time of the July 1957 denial and that no new evidence had arisen to warrant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 16, 2013 for the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance is granted. The criteria are met beginning January 23, 2004 for SMC due to his service-connected liver disability and other disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent combined.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating under DC 5201.,Prior to March 13, 2013, his residuals of status post cholecystectomy were rated at 10 percent. From that date onwards, he has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying National Guard service dates. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and are dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of all his appeals.