Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the left knee with laxity, right knee sprain, and bilateral shoulder sprains.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis and whether he has any neurological manifestations. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, thyroid cyst, sleep apnea, and arthritis. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, manifested by painful motion but no instability or subluxation, results in flexion to at least 120 degrees and abduction to at least 170 degrees. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis, and therefore grants service connection for this condition as secondary to those disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and sleep apnea were not related to his period of active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome and left shoulder impingement are not related to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 28, 2010. The Board has granted an increased rating for his Crohn's disease in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. The left elbow, left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service or a service-connected condition. The thoracolumbar spine disorder, testicular pain, chest pain (costochondritis), stomach pain, and headaches are also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2006. The evidence does not support a higher rating during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and shoulder conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the right ankle receiving a 10% rating effective September 20, 2010, and the right shoulder receiving a 20% rating effective January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective April 24, 2016. The rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms of decreased ranges of motion and pain, which have not more nearly approximated a higher rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently service-connected, but the cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability have not been established as service-connected.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed neck, low back, and bilateral shoulder conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for his shoulder, neck, and back disabilities need further development to determine their etiology. The Veteran is also required to provide additional information regarding his respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diverticulitis, and a low back disability. The claim for COPD was denied as there is no evidence that it manifested during service or is related to service. Service connection was also denied for shoulder DJD due to lack of in-service injury.