Shoulder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 1, 2015, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. After September 1, 2015, the Veteran's disability picture did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral arm disability, and bilateral hand disability have all been denied. The Veteran has not established a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, eustachian tube dysfunction with chronic otitis media, and chronic sinusitis disabilities originated in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his current bilateral hearing loss and right eye disability are not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased rating for bilateral pes planus, and increased rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome. The appeals were remanded multiple times due to procedural issues.

The Board granted a maximum schedular disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, effective April 9, 2010. The decision found that a separate compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5202 was not appropriate and that the existing 40 percent rating adequately compensated all symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that these ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist DJD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, including during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (IDT). The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his lower back condition, right shoulder arthritis, migraine headaches, and periodic limb movement disorder have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding her service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been addressed. The Board has granted some of the requested increases in rating, but denied others.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and arthritis of the right hand do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's skin condition is presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.,There is no current diagnosis or persistent symptoms of dizziness and fainting spells, and the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder disorder (also claimed as a left deltoid disorder).

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for a neurological deficit of the left leg, which is related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The issue of a higher initial rating for right shoulder labral tear and surgical repair with ongoing residuals symptoms of pain was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision being issued.