Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants DIC benefits on this basis.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right hip and left shoulder disabilities due to additional information that requires further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for an umbilical hernia with abdominal cramps and pain is granted, but the issue of service connection for the right shoulder disability remains pending due to remand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder dislocation and major depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining employment prior to March 20, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and neck conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder abscess, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and bilateral carpal tunnel disorders due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also not granted for a current left heel disability as the Veteran did not demonstrate any functional impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a hearing loss and tinnitus examination, and scheduling a lumbar spine examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current shoulder, elbow, hand and knee disorders. The Veteran is presumed credible in his statements about combat-related events during service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not manifested limitation of motion at shoulder level, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 16, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right shoulder injury with rotator cuff surgery, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and scar, right shoulder status post-surgical procedure due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's initial enlistment records are lost, and there is no medical record prior to October 1984.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral lower extremity chronic exertional compartment syndrome and scars have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,An effective date earlier than June 12, 2012, is denied for the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left leg disability and related arthritis conditions has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Board has ordered additional medical examination and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis was granted a 20 percent rating for the period from June 3, 2015 to May 23, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disability (enlarged heart) is also reopened.

The Board has reopened several claims, including those for PTSD, but denied service connection for other conditions. The Veteran's left shoulder condition and sleep apnea were not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for wrist and hand conditions, as well as service connection for arthritis of the hands and fingers. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the period July 1, 2013 to October 14, 2013, and December 1, 2013 to June 5, 2014.