Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder strain has been manifested by pain/aching and limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. The tumors of the upper right shoulder and left arm are also found to be related to his prostate cancer.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to August 24, 2013, and at 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,For the right shoulder disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including to afford the Veteran a VA examination with regard to his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability and to consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a 10 percent evaluation since February 8, 2005. The evidence shows painful motion but no limitation of motion to shoulder level or worse.

The Veteran's residuals of a neck injury with radiculopathy of the left shoulder and arm do not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's skin cancer, diagnosed as melanoma of the left shoulder and carcinoma of the nose, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his active duty service, including sun exposure or herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure the issues on appeal are afforded every due consideration, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding his skin condition and right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 25, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD and denies an increased rating. For TDIU, the Veteran meets the schedular criteria as his service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to an injury sustained during active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of left shoulder chronic strain with recurrent dislocations and acromioclavicular joint arthropathy is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, and prostate disorder. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA treatment records, private physician opinions, and examination reports, the Board finds no current diagnosis of a chronic chest disorder related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is manifested by painful motion and decreased range of motion, resulting in a 20 percent rating under DC 5201.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus, left shoulder disability (reopened and granted), and right elbow disability are all considered. The hearing loss claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral foot and knee disabilities, back disability, and digestive disability/IBS have been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, and his right and left shoulder conditions are each rated at 20 percent since June 14, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, coccyx disability, or bilateral hand disability that is causally related to his military service or to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart disabilities, as well as several other conditions, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service, nor any competent medical opinion linking them to service.