Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim cannot be fully adjudicated until the issue of an increased rating for the right shoulder condition is resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, including tendon tears and arthritis. The issue of the evaluation of lumbar strain is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder arthritis, diffuse arthritis (other than right shoulder), gastrointestinal disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic headache disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left shoulder disability or systemic arthritic disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's current headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine strain and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, which is considered secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities have been found to be service-connected.,Service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, is not established.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the award of a TDIU and wished to withdraw his appeals for higher ratings for back and right shoulder disabilities, or entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities have been granted, with effective dates set at February 17, 2009.,Effective from February 17, 2009, the Veteran is now entitled to VA benefits for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his authorized representative requesting the withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is as likely as not related to his active service, and grants service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder.,There is no evidence of obstructive sleep apnea during service. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that the current obstructive sleep apnea is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions. The right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left foot disorders, as well as her claim for an increased rating for her left shoulder disability. The Veteran was granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder in November 2008 with a 10% rating, effective from November 2008. She was also granted a temporary total rating for convalescence of the left shoulder from May 9, 2011 to June 30, 2011. The Veteran's mental disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, status-post labrum repair is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion and separately rated at 30 percent for recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements. The Board granted a separate rating of 20 percent effective May 21, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability prevents him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has referred this issue to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities need to be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional records, provide new medical opinions, and then readjudicate the issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck disabilities. The temporary total rating for convalescence due to treatment of a service-connected left ankle disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability and a psychiatric disorder, both found to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The claim for an increased rating for the post-operative scar due to Morton's neuroma was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.