Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 17, 2009 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records, and private medical records. The Veteran's left shoulder and right hand disabilities will also be examined to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's thoracic spine, left shoulder, left knee, left ankle, right ankle/foot, eye, stomach, leg numbness, and heart disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active duty. The issues of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist are currently rated appropriately. The claim for service connection for elbow and shoulder pain is denied as it is part of his existing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and tinnitus have been reopened, and the evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and cervical spine disability are service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammertoes, calluses of the feet, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine due to a fall during VA medical treatment. The right shoulder disorder is also granted as a result of the same incident.

The Board denied service connection for syncope, recurrent dislocation of left shoulder, and right knee condition as the evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2014. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations for her claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection, including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, shoulder disability, prostate disability, residuals of right lower inguinal injury, eczema, bilateral foot fungus, ulcers, GERD, Parkinson's disease, and COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to incomplete requested actions. The Veteran has the option to continue his appeals or withdraw them.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder disabilities, and headaches are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability had its clinical onset during her period of Reserve service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted as of December 23, 2009. The Board also dismissed all other claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal during his February 2018 hearing.