Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no current evidence of the claimed conditions, with the exception of the Veteran's credible reports of difficulty hearing in his left ear.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The claim is currently in a state where further development and consideration are needed.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities will be evaluated, and his claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has not manifested to the level that would warrant a higher rating, as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder dislocation status post left arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy has not manifested limitation of motion to the extent that would warrant a higher initial rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes recurrent dislocations and limited motion, has been found to meet the criteria for a maximum 40 percent rating for limitation of motion and a 30 percent rating for other impairment of the humerus. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder gunshot wound was withdrawn. The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he also has various other disabilities in his back, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and hips. The Board finds these claims are granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder, wrist and finger, and ankle degenerative joint disease were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the right humerus with rotator cuff tendinitis, based on evidence showing that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues listed, including consideration of new evidence. The Veteran is also advised to submit a timely substantive appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal on any of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, as well as readjudication based on any additional evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination and clarification of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development, including new VA examinations for his right shoulder and hip disabilities, as well as etiology opinions regarding a lumbar spine disability. The claims are being remanded to the AOJ.