Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative disc disease without myelopathy, shell fragment wound (SFW) residuals affecting the neck, right shoulder and chest, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a rib disability, left shoulder disability, and left knee/leg disability are denied as he does not have current disabilities. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for oral cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are needed to address the nature and etiology of any such disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity. If he fails to appear, his pending hearing requests will be withdrawn.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle, left ankle, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating to obtain additional medical records, complete a VA examination, and provide further development as requested.

The Veteran's burn scars are rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches have been increased to 30 percent. The Board denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis prior to June 4, 2013 and a rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy (to include carpal tunnel syndrome) from November 25, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's left shoulder chronic tendonitis and chondromalacia of the left knee were rated at 20 percent each, effective August 2, 2012. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is considered part of his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, headaches, PTSD with cognitive disorder, and TBI. The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not related to his service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD is service-connected, but he does not have a separate neurological disorder of the left upper extremity related to his service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a relationship between his current sleep apnea and his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability. The issues of service connection for PTSD, chronic pain syndrome, and reopening a nerve damage claim are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate another matter on appeal, specifically his left foot disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection claim for allergic rhinitis is granted. The initial evaluations for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of left shoulder dislocation are denied.