Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's post-operative right shoulder disability has not been shown to have resulted in limitation of motion at the shoulder level, and therefore a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right shoulder disability was denied, and the Board found that she did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disorder secondary to her service-connected right humerus fracture was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of nasal fracture, status-post septoplasty and turbinoplasty, to include maxillary sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling.

The Board determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which included a fracture and degenerative joint disease, did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right shoulder disability was denied by the RO. The claim is based on a direct service connection and not involving any presumption, exposure basis, or reopening due to new evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, following a hemiarthroplasty, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increase to higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and lumbosacral strain have been withdrawn. The claim for an increased rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis was denied as there is no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied as the current evaluation of 30 percent adequately reflects the limitation of motion and pain he experiences.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder injury with arthritis and neck pain, as well as headaches, are now pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder as being related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding medical records. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder fracture.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The claims for cervical spine, low back strain with arthritis, right shoulder, and left knee conditions have been evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.