Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and right hip disabilities based on reopening of previously denied claims due to new evidence. The effective date is not specified as it was reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, hands, and shoulders. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating the claims file with any relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, as new evidence supports a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of any such conditions during or within one year after his discharge. The claims for these disabilities are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating was denied. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a hand was also denied. TDIU remains pending as it is dependent on the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, seeking addendum opinions from the July 2015 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, heart disorder, and bilateral venous insufficiency, and addressing the Veteran's complaints of sciatica in the lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea has been sufficiently severe to require the use of a breathing device, but not resulting in chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder joint has been rated at 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, which is the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Board finds a remand necessary to assess the current severity of his disability post-surgery.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation with osteoarthritis and paresthesia of gingiva have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and fibromyalgia, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis. The increased rating claim for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional examinations and development. The issues of service connection, initial ratings, and increased ratings are all pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.