Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left shoulder disability, which he contends is secondary to a service-connected right ankle condition, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity long thoracic neuropathy and left shoulder status post arthroscopic labral debridement with residual loss of motion have been evaluated at the 20% level since July 20, 2012. The Board denied increased evaluations for both conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period after June 8, 2016, due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding several issues, including service connection for various conditions. The current ratings for bilateral pes planus and hearing loss are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent and his left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left arm condition, lumbar spine condition, or skin condition (pseudofolliculitis barbae) related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The RO granted a 20% disability rating effective June 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, PTSD, hiatal hernia with duodenitis, and tinea versicolor was denied by the Board after conducting a de novo review of the underlying merits of the case. Service connection could not be granted as there was no medical evidence linking the current conditions to military service or any undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA decision and medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and obtaining all VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities. The claim for residuals of a metacarpal fracture was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and a right shoulder disability, finding that February 7, 2012 is the earliest date entitlement arose.,The Board also found that February 7, 2012 is the earliest date for which service connection could be granted due to the appellant's original claims being denied in November 1994 and not appealed within one year.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 7, 2016. This grant of a higher rating is effective as of that date.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities prior to September 22, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder, left ankle (other than sprain and os trigonum disabilities), and bilateral shin symptoms do not constitute a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. The VA expert opinion concluded it was less likely than not that these symptoms represented a medicably unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2016 and at 20 percent since then. The right shoulder disorder has been rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period. The left knee strain has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not linked to his active service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or immediately following service and the competent medical evidence does not support an etiological link.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for the right elbow and increased ratings for the neck. The Veteran's appeal of hearing loss is denied as his puretone thresholds do not meet VA criteria for a disability. The claims for increased ratings for the right shoulder and feet, as well as sinusitis with headaches, are remanded due to lack of proper procedural steps.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, including a need for a VA examination and further etiological opinions.