Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied in October 2003 and is now being reopened, but new evidence does not support the claim.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been denied as there is no evidence linking it to military service.

This decision grants initial compensable ratings for gout and degenerative arthritis, right ankle prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016. It also grants an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gout and degenerative arthritis, left ankle. The decision denies initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis, left shoulder prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016, as well as a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis.,Entitlement to an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scars, pilonidal cyst excision, low back, coccyx area, right shoulder x4, and bilateral feet is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities, a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for hypothyroidism. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for surgical scars, right ankle prior to May 8, 2017 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any point during the appeal period. For the evaluation in excess of 20 percent as of May 8, 2017, the Veteran's right ankle scars were evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to three or more painful or unstable scars. However, the Board noted that a supplemental statement of the case was not issued and there is no examination indicating the severity of the right ankle scars following surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and knee disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability due to lack of consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The appeal regarding a schedular rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain was also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disability and chronic left wrist strain require additional medical examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including broken right fibula, broken right tibia, right-leg disorder, and triple arthrodesis of the right ankle. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's left finger fracture is not rated compensably, as the disability does not meet criteria for amputation or limitation of motion.,Prior to April 13, 2016, a noncompensable rating was assigned for his right foot fracture due to moderate malunion or nonunion. After April 13, 2016, he is rated at 10 percent for the same condition.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability prior to April 13, 2016, did not meet criteria for ankylosis, limitation of motion, malunion or nonunion. After April 13, 2016, he is rated at 20 percent due to moderate impairment.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability prior to April 13, 2016, did not meet criteria for ankylosis, limitation of motion, malunion or nonunion. After April 13, 2016, he is rated at 20 percent due to moderate impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied secondary service connection claims for bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The left ear hearing loss rating remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, and back disabilities as the Veteran did not have any of these conditions during his active duty or at any point during the appeal period.,Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to service due to a significant progression of the left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran has any diagnosed conditions related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, bicipital tendon tear, and shoulder impingement syndrome, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative changes. The appeal regarding hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and he is awarded a 30% rating for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided that an examination is needed to determine the current impairment of the Veteran's right shoulder disability, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis with degenerative changes is dismissed.,Her claim of service connection for bilateral hip disorders, to include osteoarthritis and joint pains, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disorder (leukoderma) is denied as it cannot be attributed to any specific exposure event during her military service.,Her claim of service connection for jaundice due to medications taken for a service-connected condition is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain claims are granted. The increased rating for the left shoulder strain claim is denied, but the service connection claims for diastasis recti, umbilical hernia, sleep disorder (including insomnia and loss of sleep), and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded.