Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service-connected, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder sprain issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and left shoulder disability. The case will be remanded to obtain relevant medical records, conduct further examinations, and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of hearing loss meeting VA criteria throughout the appeal period. The claims for right shoulder, thumb and ankle conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse, left shoulder dislocation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) render him unemployable since May 2008.

The Veteran's cervical spine radiculopathy of the upper extremities was manifested by mild incomplete paralysis from August 9, 2013. The Board has granted a separate 40 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent, effective November 21, 2012. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected neck/shoulder disability is not related to his active duty.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability and to address any flare-ups. The evaluation of the Veteran's left shoulder disability prior to June 16, 2012 will be deferred at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is found to have had its onset during service and continues today, warranting service connection. The claims for the other conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology. The current VA examinations are insufficient.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's shoulder had not been shown to have fibrous union of the humerus prior to September 12, 2011 or from November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was denied, while the extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following right shoulder surgery beyond March 1, 2008 was granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including depression and PTSD, is service-connected.,His headaches are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.,His left shoulder condition first manifested during service.,His neck condition likely began in-service due to a motor vehicle accident.,Erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertension.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected.,Hypertension is also service-connected, linked to the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of her claims on appeal, including those for service connection and initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to clarify which left shoulder pathology and impairment are service-connected, and the ratings for his service connected left shoulder disability will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, lymphoma of the left shoulder, respiratory disorder and colon polyps are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased ratings for left shoulder disability, headaches, folliculitis, and cervical spine disability. The decision also addressed a claim for TDIU but did not adjudicate it due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the current condition is related to an injury in service. The low back and shoulder disorders are not considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service injuries. The Veteran is requested to provide more specific time frames for his alleged right shoulder injury and inservice pneumonia, and VA will attempt to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is not service-connected, but his lumbar spondylolisthesis has been granted service connection.