Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder subluxation was denied. The case is remanded to determine an appropriate effective date for service connection of PTSD.

The Board denied reopening claims for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, as well as service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and numbness of the fingers. The Veteran's appeal was not successful in these matters.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reopening of service connection claims for various conditions, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer residuals, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep disorder/insomnia, right shoulder arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis prior to January 1, 2006 have been granted. The effective date of the grant is November 1, 2001.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his left shoulder scar and shell fragment wound of the left shoulder have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion has never been limited to 45 degrees (midway between side and shoulder level).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. He was awarded a combined rating of 60 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is not service-connected, but hypertension was found to be incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, knee disabilities of each knee, and shoulder disabilities of each shoulder. The evidence does not establish a current disability or link to active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was productive of limitation of motion at the shoulder level prior to November 16, 2010. On or after that date, his abduction was only to 80 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, anemia, eczema (skin condition), and hairy cell leukemia. The decision also addressed his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease, status post laminectomy, of the lumbosacral spine and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder remain at 20 percent.,No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or additional associated neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, effective December 17, 2003. The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for DJD of the left shoulder. No new service connection claim was decided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn at a Decision Review Officer Conference.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left shoulder, right ankle, or left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current right ulnar neuropathy is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder, left upper arm, and left ulnar neuropathy disabilities.