Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hip disorder, neurological symptoms (headaches), and respiratory disorder other than chronic bronchitis is remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thalassemia/chronic microcytic anemia and shoulder conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his fatigue and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rhinitis, claimed as a respiratory disorder, is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee disabilities. The initial evaluations for the left shoulder, left and right knees are denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of those issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for GERD has been granted. The Board has also remanded issues related to bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a neck disability, and right shoulder disability. Additionally, the issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been denied due to lack of evidence showing more than mild or moderate symptoms.,Service connection for right shoulder disability and bilateral foot disability have both been denied as there is no credible evidence linking the disabilities to service.,Erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis to PTSD was also denied, with no medical link found between the two conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim has not met the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity condition and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The TDIU claim is granted from June 30, 2018 to January 5, 2019.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection for various disabilities, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from August 10, 2009, to July 24, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been REMANDED by the Board.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for a left thumb disability, bilateral foot disability, but not for hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches, back disability, and right shoulder disability are also REMANDED.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints have been granted service connection. The claims for left hand disability, muscle inflammation, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with these conditions, and there is evidence that the stress from carrying heavy loads during active duty led to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorders, gallbladder disorder, cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to new evidence suggesting a possible connection to service. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent until November 14, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to incomplete STRs, need for additional medical opinions, and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other physical conditions, are considered to be of sufficient severity to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 18, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at a 30 percent disability rating since May 15, 2013. The Board found that the condition more nearly approximated limited arm motion midway between side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.