Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's dysthymia with depression, bilateral hearing loss disability, and sleep apnea are all found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder condition. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his distal clavicle resection of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder warrants a rating of 20 percent, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Board has granted service connection for osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the right ankle, right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, tachycardia, and hypertension.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis. However, this issue was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's left foot DJD is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of her claim. The right shoulder condition remains under appeal.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims of service connection for lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right shoulder condition, and migraines.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination, is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, DJD of the right foot, hypertension, and arthritis of the AC joint of the right shoulder were denied as there was no credible evidence supporting her claimed stressors or diagnoses. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his tinnitus and right shoulder condition claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including scars now claimed as traumatic arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

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

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected SPS and/or cervical spine disability.,There is no currently diagnosed left hand condition, but the Veteran's reports of pain may be related to his service-connected SPS.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder disability and back disability, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), need to be remanded for additional development. The Veteran will receive an SOC regarding his angiodema claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, and increased ratings for seborrheic dermatitis of the face, neck, and scalp, and superficial acne of the chest, upper back, and shoulder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection based on his in-service knee injury, and denied both skin disability claims as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and right shoulder/arm disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, bilateral leg sciatica, disability manifested by motion sickness and dizziness, tinnitus, bilateral glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, left eye detached retina (secondary to left eye cataracts), left hand disability (secondary to neck disability), right hand disability (secondary to neck disability), bilateral shoulder disability (secondary to neck disability), joint disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) (secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability), and sleep apnea have been denied. The Veteran withdrew these claims during his Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder condition did not have onset during active service, was not related to active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder was dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of higher initial rating for the right knee disability is denied, and a separate 10% rating is granted effective December 6, 2013, for removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee with symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being remanded.