Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left and right shoulders are being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the shoulder disability claims.

Service connection is denied for glaucoma, a right foot condition (claimed as trench foot), a skin condition (claimed as psoriasis), a right hip condition, and left shoulder and low back conditions.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or service-connected disabilities related to the claimed right foot condition, skin condition, right hip condition, left shoulder condition, or low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hand disorder. The denial is based on lack of evidence linking current right shoulder condition to service, while the right hand disorder issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to have started during his military service and has persisted since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back condition. The left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder was granted a TDIU effective April 11, 2017. The appeal for the TDIU prior to that date is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been rated at 20 percent since December 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level, which is required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear, rotator cuff syndrome, labrum tear, and traumatic rupture of the rotator cuff with tendinopathy, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected post traumatic seizures and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The VA will obtain private medical records, provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the left shoulder disability, and determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for back, left shoulder, right ankle, and left foot/toe disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 27, 2015 due to insufficient evidence showing that she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for PTSD was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,The rating in excess of 10 percent for painful right shoulder surgical scar and separate compensable rating for a right shoulder surgical scar were both denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, right and left ankle disorders due to incomplete compliance with its previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and torn rotator cuff of the right shoulder are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disability and sleep apnea, as well as whether they are related to his active military service. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development. The issues of service connection are now pending.

Service connection is granted for head injury residuals and the Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examination and treatment records.