Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hand essential tremors were granted service connection on a direct basis. The issues of malaria, immunodeficiency disorder, chronic bronchitis, left thumb sprain, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with limitation of extension, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar strain, left hip strain, and post traumatic headaches are all pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis, back disability, and right shoulder disability due to outstanding treatment records and the need for current VA examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected hepatitis C. The issues of higher initial ratings for various joint disabilities and radiculopathy are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral foot disability, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of neck, ankle, knee, and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for service connection for gastrointestinal, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was also granted for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The TDIU claim is granted, but only effective from October 7, 2010.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding sarcoidosis, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities without assistance. He is granted SMC(l) based on aid and attendance from August 2, 2005, to August 16, 2010, as well as SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues related to his right shoulder, left lower extremity, and knee disabilities due to inadequate evaluations in prior decisions. The Veteran is required to provide VA with private healthcare provider records and all relevant VA treatment records. He also needs a VA examination for his right shoulder and left lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, wrist, hand, leg, shoulder, spine, and hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete information in the record. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records and undergo examinations to determine if any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Service connection claims for left shoulder DJD and lower back pain are also remanded due to outstanding treatment records and need for medical opinions on etiology.

The Board has found that there have been deficiencies in the previous remand directives and requires further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee disorders, shoulder disorder, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, left hip disability, right hip disability, and right shoulder disability. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as the Veteran did not undergo a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability and bilateral hip disability due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms in service are considered, but the VA examiner found it speculative to link these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 24, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus disability is granted as service connection due to the onset in service and persistence since.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, numbness in left hand, right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's shoulder and foot disabilities. Separate ratings may be warranted for multiple service-connected foot disabilities.