Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed hearing loss and shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but these issues are REMANDED to obtain further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain was found to be incurred during active duty. The claims for headaches and fatigue are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation secondary to his low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds and varicose vein conditions did not contribute to his death. The causes of death listed on his death certificate were sepsis, respiratory failure, old cardiovascular accident, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of the assigned noncompensable ratings for most conditions, except for a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder impingement status post surgery.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to her active duty. The claims for left knee, fractured left tibia residuals, and metatarsal disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his claim of a right shoulder injury during active duty or reserve component training. The Board also found that any current depression is not secondary to service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining certification of the appellant's periods of ACDUTRA and translating Spanish documents. The VA examiner is to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether any currently diagnosed skin disorder pre-existed the appellant's entry into ACDUTRA at any point, if so, whether it underwent an increase in severity during service, and if so, whether that increase was due to natural progression or above and beyond the natural progression.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis was denied by the RO. The matter is being remanded to secure additional medical records and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal with respect to the claims of entitlement to service connection for a fungal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 9, 2007. The claim for an earlier effective date remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left shoulder disability incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, residuals of broken ribs, and chest disability with sensitive bulge, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.