Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, right ankle disability, restless leg syndrome, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and narcolepsy were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The effective dates are April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's left arm and back chemical burn scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7801.,Prior to November 6, 2015, the acquired psychiatric disorder was rated at 50 percent. After that date, it has been rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and right shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on all issues, including the ones related to hyperuricemia, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, chest palpitations, status post nasal fracture, sinusitis, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and internal hemorrhoids.

The Veteran was found unemployable from August 29, 2011 to September 30, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. His combined disability rating for these conditions is 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder was granted, with a temporary total evaluation extended until July 8, 2015. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability secondary to his right shoulder condition is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disability, or bilateral hearing loss disability.,All three disabilities were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain does not result in limitation of motion to lower than the shoulder level, and therefore a rating higher than 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a temporary total rating extension beyond February 1, 2009 due to rapid recovery and significant improvement in range of motion.

The Veteran's right elbow strain and chronic knee strains have been rated appropriately, with the exception of a separate rating for slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the right knee.,His spastic colitis has also been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, his left shoulder disability at 10 percent, and he has an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The appeal was granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and residuals, left eye corneal abrasion. The evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension had its onset during active service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder bursitis, hip condition, left knee bursitis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have all been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is found to have been incurred during service.,Service connection for varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities is granted.

The Veteran's bruxism is found to be related to service, warranting service connection.,There is no current evidence of a left knee disability. The claim for this issue is denied.,The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his right hip disability as the flexion limitation does not exceed 45 degrees.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated based on limitation of motion, and he does not meet criteria for higher ratings under DC 5201.