Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hip bursitis, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, and alcoholic pancreatitis are all denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the limitation of motion is no more than midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, aortic aneurism, PTSD, and other disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle fracture with degenerative changes and labrum tear of the right shoulder were denied as there was no evidence of marked limitation of motion, ankylosis, or malunion of the tibia and fibula. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor event, and the diagnoses did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities) have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 14, 2015. After that date, his combined disability rating was sufficient for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and low back disability. The Veteran received a 100% rating for her left knee patellofemoral syndrome effective from April 6, 2011.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 30 percent rating for limitation of motion in the arm. The higher ratings are granted based on functional limitations due to pain and weakness.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability or gynecologic disability, and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the severity and etiology of his service-connected right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, claimed as COPD, is not service-connected. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his present condition was incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's Grave's Disease and Thyroid Disability are service-connected.,Hypertension, COPD/emphysema, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Upper and Lower Extremities, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (other than PTSD), Right Shoulder Disability, Stomach Disability, and Neck Disability have not been found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected, with a rating of 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not manifest during active service or within one year of service separation and was not related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, and bilateral hand disorder have been denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms related to these conditions during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder conditions require additional development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization and convalescence following his March 2008 accident was denied as the criteria for such an evaluation were not met. The Veteran sustained injuries related to his service-connected shoulder disability, but did not meet the requirement of at least 21 days of hospitalization or surgery resulting in immobilization by a cast.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, post-surgical, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling due to pain and instability without limitation of motion.

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

The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and concluded that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to service. For her right shoulder disability, there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.