Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various disabilities and an initial rating for fibromyalgia. The effective date of service connection for fibromyalgia is granted as May 13, 2010.

The Board dismissed all appeals except the claim for a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board found in favor of service connection for headaches, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and cervical spine condition, as secondary to a left shoulder condition due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional treatment records and undergo an examination.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for a respiratory disability and the cause of death.,Respiratory disability: The Veteran's exposure to asbestos aboard USS Munda during service may be related to his COPD. The Board requests an opinion on whether any diagnosed respiratory disability was at least as likely as not caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, feeding, dressing, and undressing.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various shoulder and ankle disabilities due to unclear periods of active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The appellant needs to be examined to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow VA to obtain all available service treatment records and corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors. Additionally, the Veteran needs to have additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service connected. Service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders are restored due to improper severance of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including left and right shoulder, cervical spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service complaints and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's right thigh numbness, diagnosed as meralgia paresthetica, is granted service connection. For the left and right shoulder disabilities prior to August 25, 2015, a 10 percent rating is granted for each. The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are also granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 29, 2015. For urinary calculi (kidney stones), the Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 25, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder with limitation of motion of the arm and degenerative joint disease, as well as impairment of the scapulohumeral joint, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA needs to obtain additional records and conduct a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding records and for obtaining authorization to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, including as secondary to the service-connected right wrist pain. The rating for right shoulder sprain with supraspinatus tendinitis and impingement syndrome is remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in June 2012. The rating for right wrist pain is also remanded.