Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected right foot and knee disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for lateral instability of his right knee, but denied higher ratings for his right foot arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative disease. His traumatic shoulder condition does not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis is rated at the minimum allowed.

The Veteran's service connection for a right shoulder disability has been granted and he is currently receiving a 20 percent evaluation.,His service-connected right ankle disability was initially rated as noncompensable, but an increased rating to 10 percent effective March 16, 2009, and then to 20 percent effective April 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder condition, and sinus condition.

The Veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome of the left shoulder is currently rated at 10 percent, and his hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that both conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and traumatic brain injury were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left or right shoulder disability incurred in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, characterized as superior labrum tear of the right shoulder with impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's current condition is deemed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been granted service connection and a TTR for convalescence following left shoulder surgery. The initial evaluation for the left ankle sprain with instability remains pending.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established, but an increased rating for the left ankle disability is still under consideration.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to December 15, 2008, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201 due to limited range of motion at shoulder level.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and keloids are currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7806. The Board has determined that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating. For asthma and conjunctivitis claims, new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of hypercholesterolemia, cough, and right otoalgia. The Board also found that he does not have a vision disability or knots on the ankles and heels related to service. He was also unable to establish entitlement to sleep apnea, hand pain, shoulder pain, or ankle pain as being due to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to any of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of chronic right shoulder, right foot, or left knee disorders during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of neck and upper back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening of these conditions due to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology or a link between current conditions and service.