Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities need further review, as a hearing is required before another Veterans Law Judge can make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder sprain and osteoarthritis, as well as his left shoulder sprain, are service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus and increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, migraine headaches, post-operative right shoulder bursitis with scarring, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Appellant's claims of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, and finds that there is competent medical evidence linking his current right shoulder arthritis to service. The Veteran now has service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities leave him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral shoulder disability and denied his claims for service connection for anemia, sleep apnea, and a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's neck and right shoulder disorders are found to be related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be etiologically related to her active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating.,Service connection for the left shoulder disability is pending, as new and material evidence has been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,Service connection for the low back disability is pending, as new and material evidence has been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,The Veteran's right foot arthritis has been granted service connection and assigned a zero percent rating.,Service connection for the right lower extremity neurological condition is pending, as new and material evidence has not yet been received. The effective date of service connection will be determined upon finalization of this claim.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection and assigned a 100 percent rating (the maximum available).,Service connection for the headaches is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to service, and thus granted his claim for service connection. The right shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol dependence claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current right shoulder disability is related to service. The pes planus issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic left shoulder ligamentous strain has been rated as noncompensable prior to May 11, 2016 and at least 20 percent thereafter. The claim for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide a VA examination for his right knee disability and to issue an SOC regarding the service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the right knee rating claim.

The Board has ordered further development of the record to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and his active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, or bilateral foot disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since March 8, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been evaluated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.