Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has decided that there are additional pieces of evidence submitted since the last decision and has ordered a remand for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff syndrome and acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service discharge, nor was there any medical evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, as the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of a deceased appellant's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his neck disability and low back disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including arthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation. The claim for secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability warranted a rating of 20 percent since December 22, 2015, based on limited range of motion at shoulder level. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck muscle spasms, and radiculopathy of the hips are all found to be related to his service-connected conditions. His bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to noise exposure in service.,The right shoulder condition is not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was initially granted service connection and rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2013. The rating has been increased to 20 percent effective June 6, 2013.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of residuals of a left fibula fracture, a left shoulder scar, and residuals of a shrapnel burn to the back. As such, these matters are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and rated appropriately based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including records from a non-VA facility. The cervical spine disability claim is also inextricably intertwined with his bilateral shoulder condition claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the November 2015 VA examination reports in the first instance. If benefits remain denied, a supplemental statement of the case will be provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the nature, etiology, and relationship of his current left shoulder condition to service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing updated VA treatment records and arranging a new examination for service connection of residuals of concussion.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder tendonopathy. Service connection is denied for right arm disability and left arm disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability did not have onset during service, arthritis of his shoulder did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and his current shoulder disability was not caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral shoulders is granted service connection. The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is granted a rating of 20 percent as of July 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), residuals of a right thigh/hip injury, residuals of a left thumb injury, malaria, a right foot or ankle disability, a left knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are pending.