Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disorder due to injury at VA facility in July 2007 are dismissed as moot because his right and left knee disorders have been granted service connection.,His claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right knee osteoarthritis is not affected by the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, left shoulder, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The evidence received does not relate these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, shoulder and low back disabilities are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or injury in service, and any current conditions are more likely due to natural progression of age-related degenerative changes.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and arranging for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records, private medical records, and a VA examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's tinnitus, finding it incurred in active duty military service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and a left shoulder disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health conditions and physical disabilities.

The Veteran's melanoma of the right flank and right shoulder was not shown in service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent disabling or more within one year from his July 1946 separation from service, and there is no evidence of direct service connection. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis, status post arthroscopic surgery, has not met the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to February 25, 2016, the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's skin condition is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records, SSA records, and VA treatment records. A mental health examination will be conducted to determine if his current psychiatric diagnoses are related to the July 1976 incident in Korea. Another examination will also be conducted to assess whether his current infectious disease and right shoulder disability are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disorders did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement has been rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently rated based on their severity and functional impact.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right shoulder issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.