Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of residuals of an inguinal hernia, left shoulder disability, or left lower lip disability. For the GSW to the left leg, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that H.C. was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect before the date of attaining the age of 18 years, and therefore does not meet the criteria for recognition as a 'helpless child'.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered in light of all pertinent evidence.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing VCAA notice to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder impingement with acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, low back strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and scars post-bilateral inguinal repair surgery are all adequately contemplated by the schedular rating criteria.,As such, referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture that the available schedular evaluations are inadequate, and therefore his claim for an initial increased rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, attributing it to diagnosed conditions not etiologically related to service. The claim for olfactory impairment was remanded by the Court and is pending.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including a new VA examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's service-connected paraspinous muscle strain in the lumbar spine region and recurrent left shoulder dislocation are at issue.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder condition is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, knee, lumbar spine, ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection in any of these cases.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including scheduling an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and left shoulder disabilities, obtaining VA treatment records, providing VCAA notice regarding a claim for TDIU, and readjudicating the issues in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis was denied, as the evidence did not show motion limited to midway between the side and shoulder level or less. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine DJD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and disorders, but the Board is remanding these cases due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for her claimed conditions, including a right elbow disability and left shoulder disability. The claim for an increased rating for gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia is also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition. The July 2012 VA examination report supports the finding of a right shoulder disability incurred during ACDUTRA, which is related to active service. Regarding the cervical spine disability, the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at a non-compensable level prior to May 24, 2012. From May 24, 2012, the rating was increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for paralysis of the upper radicular group (right shoulder) was increased to 50 percent effective January 21, 2014. The respiratory condition characterized as post-lobectomy residuals is rated at 10 percent.