Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are each rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum available rating.

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

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder, and the low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 25, 2016, with no higher. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, while the right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination for his right knee disability and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder internal derangement and strain, finding that the Veteran experienced symptoms of shoulder pain during active duty in Southwest Asia.,Service connection was not established for hypertension (high blood pressure) as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and considering the Veteran's lay statements. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right foot disorder, left foot disorder, left hand disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, neck disorder, eye disorder, lung disorder, and knee disorders. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for TMJ, prostatitis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a left elbow disability, GERD, migraines (to include as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea), right ear hearing loss, and hypertension during his October 2016 Board hearing.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, while the low back disorder and right shoulder disorder are not. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disorder are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder bursitis required a temporary total evaluation beyond April 30, 2010 until June 28, 2010 due to convalescence following surgery. Additionally, the Veteran was granted SMC benefits based on housebound criteria for this period.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for colon cancer, claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, was denied. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current colon cancer disability is related to his time in service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 20% to 10% for left shoulder internal derangement was not proper, and the original 20% rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as for obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was also reopened for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, heart disability, and shoulder disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service or within one year following separation.,There was no indication any of the listed diagnoses (cervical spine, upper extremities, heart, and shoulders) were etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, gout, tinnitus, lumbar spine disc disease, and a right shoulder disability, have led to significant employment challenges. The proposed vocational rehabilitation plan does not include obtaining a Master’s Degree as it is deemed not reasonably feasible given the Veteran's current circumstances.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative lumbosacral spondylosis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.,The Board also determined that there is no evidence of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy related to, or aggravated by, active service.