Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected right shoulder disability, but no higher, based on unfavorable ankylosis with abduction limited to 25 degrees from side.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, shoulder, lumbar spine, elbow, and carpal tunnel disabilities have been granted initial compensable ratings. The effective dates for these ratings are not specified.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if the Veteran's neck, shoulder, and head injuries are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a condition of the right hand, wrist, and fingers as secondary to service-connected right elbow disability. The Veteran's other claims are either denied or require further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is service-connected, but his back disability cannot be linked to military service.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for the umbilical hernia is warranted, but no higher. For the right shoulder disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain and migraines are not rated higher than the current 10 percent assigned, as there is no evidence of dislocation or ankylosis. The Veteran's migraines do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their frequency.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis and noting that it is related to his congenital low-lying acromion. However, the Board finds no superimposed disease or injury during service that would warrant service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and records from David Grant Medical Center. The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knees, jaw fracture residuals (temporomandibular joint), and left elbow disabilities, are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disabilities was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing from appeal his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, or right shoulder disability for VA purposes and therefore cannot establish service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted a rating of 40 percent for her right shoulder disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from Guantanamo Bay and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as well as VA and private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability and bilateral pes planus, but denied service connection for low back, neck, and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's current foot condition is considered to have existed prior to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service and a long period without medical complaint after service. The examiner determined it less likely than not that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder, low back, right little toe, and hepatitis C conditions are not etiologically related to service. The Veteran is not diagnosed with PTSD; depressive disorder is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability.