Shoulder decisions — 2009

The veteran withdrew his appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for PTSD at his January 2007 hearing before the Board. The claim is dismissed.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for a left knee strain and noncompensable ratings for bilateral hallux valgus deformities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant ratings in excess of the currently assigned levels. However, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions has been granted.

The evidence does not show a confirmed diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a right ankle injury, residuals of a right arm injury, residuals of a right shoulder injury, or residuals of a back injury.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities and denied service connection for a right elbow disability and arthritis of the shoulders.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected residuals of a partial tear of the left pectoral muscle with degenerative joint disease of the left (minor) shoulder, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is etiologically related to an injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine strain, but granted higher ratings of 10% each for the right and left hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's temporary total convalescence rating was not extended beyond September 1, 2005 as the medical evidence did not support severe postoperative residuals or other criteria for an extension.

The Board found that the reductions in ratings for rhabdomyolosis, lumbar spine and other body parts were proper.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, bilateral flat feet, and erectile dysfunction.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from SSA and VA examinations.

The Board grants service connection for hypertension and bilateral shoulder disabilities based on evidence of in-service injury and current disability.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder disorder was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's neck disorder is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's liver disorder is not related to his military service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since January 3, 2008.,The Veteran's right hand disability does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right leg disability does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's left hip disorder does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent from February 19, 2004 to January 14, 2008 and 70 percent since January 14, 2008.,The Veteran's left leg thrombophlebitis does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left leg aneurysm does not cause claudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, right wrist arthralgia, and left wrist tendonitis.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide the veteran with an appropriate supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability, right shoulder disability, hearing loss, left knee disability, headaches with dizziness, disability manifested by insomnia, disability manifested by fatigue, disability manifested by decreased appetite, disability manifested by loss of sex drive, and disability manifested by stiff joints of the lower extremities were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability as it was not shown to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for the left knee, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately represented the severity of the disability.