Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain post-service treatment records and military retiree records.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability, right inguinal hernia, and hyperactive bladder with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The Veteran's abdominal pain, including renal stones and hernia, fatigue, hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, and skin pigmentation change are not shown to be related to service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, and the claim for service connection for depression has been granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from March 7, 2011. The appellant is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for right shoulder tendonitis was denied as there is no evidence of worsening during the one-year period prior to May 17, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for left wrist, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral arm disabilities, as well as for a disability manifested by right-sided weakness (all claimed as secondary to MS), as they are moot due to the grant of service connection for neuropathy of both upper extremities. The claim of service connection for residuals of right wrist injury is being REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and left elbow disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 17, 1964 for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied based on this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery required convalescence for a three-month period, and he is now entitled to a temporary total rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities began during service or are related to service in any other way.

The Veteran's nerve damage to the left leg has been rated as 10 percent disabling, which is appropriate given the symptoms described. The acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, PTSD) has been granted service connection and is considered a new issue due to reopened claims. Hypertension and sleep apnea have not been found to be related to service. Left shoulder and back disabilities are also not supported by the evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and eye problems, as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The other issues on appeal have been addressed but no rating assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and examinations. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, a right shoulder disability, and hypertension (on de novo review) are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and gastrointestinal disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, as well as his left shoulder disability are all found to be related to service.,For the ankle disabilities, the Veteran's right ankle gout is found to have preexisted service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and disability of both feet and toes did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence of chronicity. The VA examiners found it speculative to provide an opinion on whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability in his knees and lower back. The claims for hand, wrist, and right shoulder conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with cervical canal stenosis and left shoulder myofascial pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.