Shoulder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, lumbar spine DDD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 20 percent rating for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ulnar nerve neuropathy was not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and denied service connection for this condition. The rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not manifest in service or within one year following his separation from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, diagnosed as impingement syndrome and glenohumeral joint dislocation, did not originate during service or was otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for a rating increase for his right elbow disability is also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome resulted in painful, limited motion to the shoulder level prior to February 28, 2011. The Board found that a 20 percent rating was warranted for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not develop due to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hip bursitis, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, and alcoholic pancreatitis are all denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the limitation of motion is no more than midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, aortic aneurism, PTSD, and other disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle fracture with degenerative changes and labrum tear of the right shoulder were denied as there was no evidence of marked limitation of motion, ankylosis, or malunion of the tibia and fibula. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor event, and the diagnoses did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities) have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 14, 2015. After that date, his combined disability rating was sufficient for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and low back disability. The Veteran received a 100% rating for her left knee patellofemoral syndrome effective from April 6, 2011.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 30 percent rating for limitation of motion in the arm. The higher ratings are granted based on functional limitations due to pain and weakness.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability or gynecologic disability, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the severity and etiology of his service-connected right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, claimed as COPD, is not service-connected. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his present condition was incurred or aggravated by active duty service.