Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and because there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, major depression, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bladder dysfunction, right shoulder arthritis, allergic rhinitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement has been rated at 20 percent since February 17, 2005. The current rating is in line with the evidence showing limitation of motion to flexion and abduction up to 115 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his right shoulder disability. A new VA examination is also needed to determine the current nature and severity of his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including a thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and TBI residuals have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. Additional examinations are also needed to assess the current severity of his right hip, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining income information. The claim of entitlement to nonservice-connected pension is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, arthritis of hips and elbows/shoulders did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and are not related to any incident during active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability; as well as entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right superior oblique palsy (cranial nerve IV) with intermittent bilateral diplopia; and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed back, hips, feet, elbows, and shoulders disorders did not manifest until decades after his active period of service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are otherwise related to his active period of service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to August 14, 2012, warranted a 20 percent rating. From August 14, 2012, to July 1, 2013, it warranted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his representative, which includes a VA examination of his neck and cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, and headaches. The Board will consider further action after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disability, and left shoulder disability are not service connected.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for left hand arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available under VA regulations. The Veteran’s alopecia areata has not been shown to be related to service and remains noncompensably rated.,Service connection for a left foot disability was granted in full.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral arm and hand conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.