Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of instability or pain in his scars, and the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is directly related to his military service and grants service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a travel Board hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions and rating claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The Veteran's depression is found to be of service onset or secondary to a service-connected disability and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the highest available under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on additional functional impairment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for right ear hearing loss and scarring of the right shoulder as the appellant withdrew these claims prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and requests for Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and left foot disabilities, as well as the derivative TDIU claim raised during his hearing, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches. The Veteran's sleep apnea had its onset during active service, his hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to post-service occupational exposure rather than his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including a rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during INACDUTRA in April 2008. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for temporary total disability benefits based on left knee surgery necessitating convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact needed to substantiate the underlying claim of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is directly related to service or if arthritis began within one year of separation.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities were denied. The RO continued the existing disability ratings, with no changes in rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability and deep venous thrombosis of the left lower extremity. The claim will be readjudicated after these matters are addressed.