Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his left shoulder disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not found to meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, delusional disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various other conditions are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the spine disability other than cervical spine disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,Service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities was denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for obtaining a report of left shoulder x-rays from September 1973, which were ordered during the Veteran's military service. The VA is instructed to take all necessary steps to obtain this record and provide an addendum to the November 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability. The remaining issues of service connection for gastrointestinal and psychiatric disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, neck disorder, left and right hip disorders, and lumbar DJD with sclerosis. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral knee disabilities including as secondary to the service-connected left pes planus disability, rating higher than 20 percent for left pes planus, grade II, with heel spur, and TDIU due to service-connected disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities due to new evidence submitted. The cases are remanded for further development and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's mild facet arthropathy (claimed as low back injury) and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, left knee replacement, right knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disability from September 16, 2013 to March 23, 2015.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board dismissed it as a result.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, thoracic spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's asthma disability was also not granted a compensable rating prior to January 16, 2015.,There is no current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions at any time relevant to the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back injury with herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 and degenerative changes is dismissed. The Veteran's left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a left third finger disability and denied increased ratings for left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthrosis, right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case is also remanded for further development regarding an initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and rating decisions. The main issues are seeking clarification on the etiology of left shoulder and elbow disabilities, skin disability, and left wrist disability; determining appropriate effective dates for service connection and ratings; and addressing the service connection for left sciatic nerve impingement and sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: increased ratings for left shoulder and left elbow disabilities, and a TDIU claim. The Veteran will need additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions are pending.