Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the entire appeal to be dismissed.

Service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 is granted. Service connection for Hepatitis C is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective January 1, 2017. The reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including as due to his service-connected cervical spine and right shoulder disorders. The issue of extending a temporary total rating for right shoulder surgery convalescence beyond October 31, 2006 is considered moot.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service, as well as their relation to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthroscopic reconstruction with residuals is rated at 20 percent since February 6, 2015. Service connection for adhesive capsulitis, instability, low back condition, and arthralgia, right hip are all denied. However, service connection was granted for right knee patella tendonitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff disease, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. A rating of 20 percent is assigned for left ankle tendon injury and fracture with internal fixation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for prostatism, right shoulder DJD, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD with left leg sciatica, and lichen simplex chronicus of the right temple.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and headaches (secondary to PTSD and/or service-connected conditions) have been granted. The case is remanded for a new examination to address the secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an orthopedic condition of the arms and shoulders has been reopened, but the claim is denied. The Veteran's claim for cold weather injury residuals of the ears was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff tear is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and back condition, finding no current disabilities related to in-service injuries.

The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to decide these claims and further evidentiary development is needed before decisions can be reached on the merits. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and prostate cancer, and verifying periods of service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to clarify diagnoses and determine etiology. The issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and in-service harassment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include determining if his lumbar spine disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for further examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.