Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's hearing loss is rated based on prior determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PFB is a continuation of the same diagnosis noted in service, and thus grants service connection for PFB.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for clarification of his employment history and to obtain a retrospective medical opinion regarding the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 25, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and its relationship to his service-connected spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, and he meets the criteria for a period of postoperative convalescence from December 1, 2012, to February 29, 2013, following left shoulder hemiarthroplasty on May 10, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, cervical, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, left leg condition, right leg condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy are not service-connected. The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 20%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is granted. The claim for an increased evaluation for right shoulder degenerative joint disease remains denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and there is no evidence to warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm/neck disability, claimed as radiating pain in the left arm and neck, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his symptoms are related to his service-connected condition or if they result in functional impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for calcific tendinitis of the left shoulder and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 22, 2012 and increased to 50 percent from June 1, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.