Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and right shoulder disability were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service, with the exception that his current right shoulder arthritis is less likely related to an in-service left shoulder injury. The Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides or asbestos during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical DDD with upper extremity radiculopathy has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The issues of new and material evidence for entitlement to service connection for right and left shoulder conditions have not been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 15, 2010. The RO denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and sleep apnea in the May 2011 rating decision. Service connection was granted for these conditions in subsequent decisions.

The Board granted initial ratings of 10 percent for GERD, left inguinal hernia, and right shoulder dislocation and impingement since December 20, 2011. The Veteran's GERD is not shown to be manifested by symptoms that warrant a higher rating. The left inguinal hernia is reasonably shown to be manifested by symptoms consistent with a small postoperative hernia not reasonably reducible. The right shoulder disability is reasonably shown to be manifested by pain and consequent limitation of motion approximately to shoulder level.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since May 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion is limited to shoulder level, and no more.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for tendonitis of her right and left shoulders prior to August 2, 2012. The VA examination conducted in November 2007 did not show any limitation of motion or pain on motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting current examinations to assess her cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, and developing the claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not caused by his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve loss of use of one or both feet, loss of use of one or both hands, permanent impairment of vision of both eyes, a severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or ankylosis of one or both knees or one or both hips. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder sprain with osteoarthritis and degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records, providing a new VA examination, and considering all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral wrist conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder degenerative joint disease and cervical spondylosis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), are being remanded due to incomplete development. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are each rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum available rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder, and the low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 25, 2016, with no higher. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, while the right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination for his right knee disability and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder internal derangement and strain, finding that the Veteran experienced symptoms of shoulder pain during active duty in Southwest Asia.,Service connection was not established for hypertension (high blood pressure) as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.