Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, shoulder disorders, and prostate cancer. The examiner must assess the combined effects of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus the claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions in August 2001. He appealed to have his son added as a dependent effective from the date of his initial claim, which is August 1, 2001.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety and depression). The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions in service or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination. The issues have not been certified to the Board yet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The right and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's OSA was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,A cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for bilateral knee gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.,Service connection for left ankle gouty arthritis as secondary to service-connected gout is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 s/p L4-L5 laminectomy and discectomy due to a lack of proper notification for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, collarbone, cervical spine, right ankle, bilateral big toe, and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the current diagnoses were not related to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including for service connection and increased rating issues. The Veteran will need updated VA examinations and verification of his Reserve duty periods.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim for a bilateral shoulder disability, specifically the right clavicle fracture and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including ankylosis and post-traumatic arthritis, is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to allow for a fully-informed decision regarding the Veteran's right hip disability, including whether it had onset in service or is etiologically directly related to active service. The examiner should provide opinions on whether the current right hip disability is caused by any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and if it is aggravated by any of them.

The Veteran's left shoulder bursitis was initially evaluated as noncompensable from April 1, 2006 to March 26, 2013 and upgraded to 20 percent disabling from March 27, 2013. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder bursitis disability has been granted a rating of at least 20 percent since February 11, 2013. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC under Section 1114(o) was denied as he did not meet the criteria for any of the rates provided in Sections 1114(l), (m), (n), or (o). The Board found that his service-connected disabilities have not resulted in anatomical loss or use of both arms, hands, legs, feet, or eyes, nor has he been permanently bedridden or helpless as to need regular aid and attendance.