Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for left knee degenerative joint disease and torn medial meniscus with slight instability. The right knee condition remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking the current condition to a service-connected disability.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy in his left upper extremity. The VA examiner noted 'N/A (no specific diagnosis provided).'

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for limitation of motion to shoulder level. The Board found no evidence of more severe impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear and arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a present hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye disability did not have its clinical onset during service and is not related to any incident of service.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's low back disability was less likely than not related to his active military service, exposure to cold weather in service, or rigorous use of joints in military activities.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gastritis) and found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 10 percent initial rating. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left knee disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been caused by in-service herbicide exposure. The claims for bilateral cataracts, right eye blood clot, glaucoma, eczematous dermatitis, and left tinea pedis were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective the date of claim for an increase in February 29, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms have been manifested by complaints of pain and limited range of motion with some limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for fibrocystic breast disease, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hand disability, and right elbow disability have been granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Anxiety Disorder, NOS with subclinical features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety, and Depressive Disorder, NOS, is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for his back, wrists, and shoulders conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right rotator cuff disability, sleep apnea, colon polyps, chloracne (claimed as skin disability), and right shoulder lipoma were denied. The Veteran's claim for insomnia was granted due to its association with service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. His claim for right shoulder disability is pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his representative in October 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders are secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar sprain, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder strain with arthritis, and left shoulder sprain with arthritis are related to service. The Board also found no evidence of a cardiovascular disability or hypertension with shortness of breath during service or within one year following discharge from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine conditions are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.