Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, including his shoulders, hands, and knees. The evidence does not support a finding that this condition was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found no current diagnoses for the claimed left thigh, left shoulder, right elbow, low back, and neck conditions. The VA examinations and medical records did not support a connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service for left shoulder, right shoulder, or left elbow conditions. As such, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right upper extremity disability was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's claim to reopen the left foot disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection is still denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for hypertension was not addressed due to the remand instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic and hydrocele disabilities have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the decision. The appeal is denied as there are no higher ratings available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the claim on appeal, including obtaining all VA treatment records and any updated private physician's appointment records. The motion of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the RO's rating decisions of May 2007 and June 2010 has been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a right shoulder disability.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches with photophobia and assigned a disability rating of 30 percent effective April 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, knee (pre-arthroplasty), hip, and foot heel spur conditions have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014. The ankle tendonitis has been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014 and 30 percent from October 17, 2014. The lumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted a noncompensable rating from January 1, 2008 to March 6, 2017, and a 20 percent rating from March 6, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for service connection of heel spurs, shoulder spurs/arthritis, and toe spurs/arthritis were denied as there was no evidence to support their relationship with service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, but was not aggravated by service. The right wrist disability is rated at 30%. The TDIU claim is denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus began within one year of active military service and is presumed to be related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and considering the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acne, coronary artery disease (CAD), PTSD, DISH, and a right shoulder disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for shoulder, arm and hand disorders and left leg and foot disorders due to their being inextricably intertwined with claims regarding neck and low back disorders. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual pain status post torn left rotator cuff of the left shoulder and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was granted, with a combined evaluation of 90 percent. The Veteran is now eligible for TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder disability. The VA has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence.