Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder strain developed in service and is now granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension was granted effective July 2, 2013. The claimant has not provided evidence of a prior claim before this date.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted effective December 1, 2014. The claimant has not provided evidence of a prior claim before this date.,Service connection for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective September 2, 2008. The claimant has not provided evidence of a prior claim before this date.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's increased rating claims and service connection claim. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, prostate condition, and testicular cysts require further development due to the need for medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and awarded a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, effective June 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder injury, and left arm injury are related to service. The broken ribs claim will be addressed as a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been rated at 20 percent since February 24, 2015. The pain and limitation of motion have not warranted a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for his claimed left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot conditions. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, diagnosed as bilateral instability and chondromalacia of the shoulders and a degenerative irregularity of the left clavicle, was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's left shoulder disability was evaluated at a 20% rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his current disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an initial compensable rating for left knee OCD, and a higher rating for post-operative repair of his right shoulder were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea was denied as he does not have such a condition. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied due to the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder, wrist, and thumb arthritis as well as PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reviewed again due to lack of VA examination records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right ankle disability (previously characterized as a bilateral ankle disability), and for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision supports these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected.,New evidence has reopened the claim for right ear hearing loss, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral shoulder peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral pterygium is denied as there is no evidence of visual impairment, conjunctivitis, or scarring that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.