Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected left arm, shoulder, wrist, and scar conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were granted service connection. The left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, sleep disability, cephalgia tension headaches (claimed as migraines), and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder impingement, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 10% prior to February 11, 2016 and at 20% after that date. The claim for a higher rating remains on appeal. Prior to December 14, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder/clavicle disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, an increased rating for his right shoulder strain, and TDIU. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating in any of these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including muscle pain due to an undiagnosed disorder, left Achilles sprain, chronic fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, neuropsychological symptoms, headaches, neurological condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and sinusitis as the evidence did not show that these conditions were aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence. The Veteran's hearing testimony indicates he continues to experience pain in these joints since his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, right elbow, and bilateral knee disabilities require additional examinations to determine their current severity. The cases are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease/arthritis, major depression, lumbar radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis (left foot), and right shoulder osteoarthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and arthritis of the shoulders. The cervical spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral arm conditions are remanded due to lack of a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the exact dates of his active duty. The claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right foot metatarsalgia, cervical spine disability, chronic myositis of the paracervical spine muscles, left shoulder disability, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis and left knee arthritis, finding that new evidence supports a positive nexus to service. The claims are therefore granted.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding right shoulder disability, TBI, right leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).