Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and spine disabilities as well as his hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and determine if there is additional functional loss during flare-ups. His TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. The claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 70 percent for MDD with alcohol abuse, and in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with reactive airway disease are remanded. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for chronic tonsillitis, service connection for a left knee disability, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and service connection for a cardiac disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities, specifically whether they are related to his service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings of his right shoulder and left knee disabilities was denied. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective April 1, 2010. His left knee disability remains at a 30 percent rating since July 12, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability. The Veteran did not meet the threshold element of a current ratable hearing loss disability, as his audiometric test results did not establish a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear with mild degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that his pain limits motion to shoulder level. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding his ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and neck conditions. The Board also notes that there is a need for an opinion on whether ischemic heart disease is related to PTSD.

The Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not related to her service or her service-connected TMJ dysfunction, and the Board finds that she does not have a current disability that is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected TMJ.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen service connection for migraines, bilateral shoulder disability, and Scheuermann's disease of the thoracic spine. The petition to increase the rating for residuals of fracture left hand fifth metacarpal was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for bilateral hip disability, shoulder and elbow disabilities, low back disability, neck disability with upper right extremity neuropathy, spine disability with joint degeneration, hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, staph infection, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The remand also includes a request to obtain Social Security Administration records and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Tinnitus has been denied for an earlier effective date prior to June 25, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (including arthritis), bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, muscle weakness and atrophy, limited motion of right shoulder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for COPD and hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. However, the Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case is being remanded to allow for new VA examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder status post rotator cuff and cartilage repair with osteoarthritis has also been denied due to the lack of evidence showing limitation of motion at or below the shoulder level.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a bilateral knee condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and lack of an opinion regarding a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's service records show chronic shoulder dysfunction, but there is no definitive etiology provided by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records.