Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and left inguinal hernia have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for urinary frequency, right hip strain, left hip strain, lumbosacral strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and left foot bunion, as well as a psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for tension headaches, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.,The Board also denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, concluding that the current diagnosis is not related to service and more likely due to post-service aggravation.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion without limitation of motion, is rated at 20 percent since the beginning of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for cervical, left shoulder, and left hip disorders, as well as initial ratings for left and right knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various orthopedic, respiratory, psychiatric, and dermatological conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the identification of outstanding treatment records. The issue on appeal concerns his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial ratings of 10% and 0% for right shoulder disability and right knee disability, respectively.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been manifested by painful motion throughout the period on appeal. The Board finds that a 20 percent rating is warranted for the entire period from January 13, 2012 to September 8, 2015.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 15, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to May 25, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of additional limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation, and no higher rating can be granted based on functional loss. The claims for increased ratings for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea, a neck disorder, left hand disability (held in abeyance), and a left shoulder disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his right shoulder scars, bilateral toe scars, or resection of metatarsal heads. His hearing loss was rated appropriately under VA guidelines. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety) was granted as new and material evidence had been received since the last denial in 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for back strain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right fifth finger fracture residuals are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, bilateral shoulder, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities did not manifest during active service or are otherwise related to such service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, back disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) were denied. The hearing loss claim was granted with a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected left clavicle fracture with deformity and limited motion of the shoulder, currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and right ankle sprain, currently rated as 10 percent disabling, were denied. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions are evaluated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage to other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and found that it was incurred in service. The claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right shoulder disability is rendered moot by the grant of service connection.