Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to determine if the Veteran's injuries occurred in the line of duty, which could affect his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for acne, but did not address other issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which was noted as pre-existing at enlistment and initially assessed with partial atrophy but good strength, is presumed to have been aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show that the aggravation was due to the natural progression of the disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for insomnia associated with left shoulder strain status post debridement with arthritis was granted, but the effective date is not specified. The Veteran now receives a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of sinusitis is dismissed.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for residual fracture of right hand ring finger and little finger.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial 20 percent rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease from September 24, 2011.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial 10 percent rating for residual right wrist fracture from September 24, 2011.,From July 4, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for tension headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability with IVDS and right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee and left foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and rotator cuff tear, obstructive sleep apnea, and lumbar strain with DDD and bulging discs. The claim for a right knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing before the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder rotator cuff disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinnitus, right foot hallux valgus, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with appendectomy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted. Other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 23, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective May 18, 2016.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities related to his service, including as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private hospital records from Penrose Saint Francis Health Services and providing VCAA notice regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar sprain and right shoulder muscle strain are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated lumbosacral spine condition, cervical spine arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.