Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's testimony regarding his in-service hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his shoulder injuries, is sufficient to establish service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and pes planus are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for his back, left shoulder, and left knee conditions. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to clarify the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, thoracic lumbar strain, right ankle strain, and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the mixed nature of his service-connected right shoulder disability and the need for further development regarding his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not result in a combined rating of at least 70%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent until March 13, 2013, when it was increased to 40 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, and denied compensable ratings for his scars and occipital neuralgia.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are either not addressed or remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot dysfunction of the peroneal chain is granted. The Board finds that chronic dysfunction of the peroneal chain is a result of military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a new medical opinion regarding her claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right foot disorder and right shoulder arthritis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies and an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed allergy, and the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Board found that there is insufficient competent and probative evidence to establish a current cervical spine or bilateral shoulder disability related to service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied increased ratings for PTSD and left wrist tendinitis. The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms were not credible, and the VA examiner provided a negative medical nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in previous decisions and incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's congenital bilateral absence of the pectoralis major with recurrent dislocation of both shoulders is a direct service connection condition and was not clearly and unmistakably present prior to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with new examinations to assess her right ankle and shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, and he is service-connected for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.