Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left foot disability is also rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right shoulder scar is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His left ankle scars are not compensable.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected low back condition and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a flail shoulder and loss of use, was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and recent case law requiring more comprehensive evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including a supplemental opinion regarding continuity of symptoms and etiological relationship between his service-connected fibromyalgia and multiple joint arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 29, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. His left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 29, 2016 and at 30 percent thereafter for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The Veteran's claims were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, rated at 20 percent prior to April 1, 2016, was found to warrant a 30 percent rating from that date forward. The current effective date remains pending further examination and determination.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, bilateral ankle disability, and headaches. However, further development is needed to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis requires aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on this condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder symptoms most closely approximated those contemplated by a 70 percent rating from January 29, 2013, to January 4, 2016, and since May 1, 2016. The bilateral pes planus symptoms most closely approximated those contemplated by a 10 percent rating from January 20, 2011, to September 2, 2015. The reduction in the left shoulder disability rating was improper, and restoration of the prior rating is warranted. The reduction in the right shoulder disability rating was improper, and restoration of the prior rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, GERD, wrist and shoulder disabilities, and vertigo have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not service-connected and was not caused by VA medical care, thus denying compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and assigned a noncompensable rating for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, and hand disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his 1993 separation examination and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for panic disorder with social phobia, major depressive disorder (diagnosed as bipolar disorder), sleep apnea, and bilateral shoulder disability. The conditions are all found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is a result of his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent disabling from December 30, 2008 to July 27, 2009. From December 1, 2009 to February 10, 2010, the rating was increased to 30 percent. Since April 1, 2010, the Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability, as the previous examination did not include range of motion testing in both active and passive motions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement has been withdrawn. The claims for compensable initial ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her spinal cord compression of the neck and lower radicular nerve impairment. The AOJ will attempt to obtain relevant treatment records, schedule a VA examination, and consider all evidence in deciding these claims.