Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, and right hip are all granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding his right shoulder and right hand disorders. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's viral myocarditis condition with chest pain with radiation to the left shoulder was granted service connection and rated at 60 percent effective June 29, 2011. The rating has been maintained since then.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder condition is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are intertwined with the left shoulder condition claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disability, left wrist disability, sleep apnea, GERD, and left shoulder disability. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his active military service.,Service connection is granted for each of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's outstanding treatment records and to provide him with a new VA examination for his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as another opinion on his nervous condition claim. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Peyronie's disease with associated erectile dysfunction was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,SMC in excess of the rate payable under 38 U.S.C. � 1114(k) is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC under this provision due to his service-connected disabilities.,TDIU for the period prior to November 9, 2011, is denied as the Veteran was able to maintain employment during that time.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), peripheral neuropathy of the right shoulder, skin disability (eczema), fatty tumors, to include lipomas or soft tissue tumors, and vision or eye disability are all denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for right shoulder strain, GERD, and hallux valgus of the great right toe have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 30% disabling since October 13, 2014. The evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the effective date being from the date of receipt of his application. The combined disability rating is at least 70% due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes degenerative arthritis and residual scars from rotator cuff surgery, does not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent. The evidence shows pain, reduced range of motion, popping, non-painful linear scarring, and loss of function in the left shoulder. However, there is no evidence showing limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or unstable/painful scars.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and he has a compensable disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the legs is rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings due to lack of ulceration or massive edema.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder (presumably insomnia) as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the legs. Service connection is also denied for left shoulder pain as not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in or were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and is REMANDING the remaining claims (left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions) to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, requires additional development and an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's abdomen scar does not exceed the required criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's back scar also does not meet the requirements for a higher rating.