Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no current hearing loss disability and the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip and left shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability or bilateral shoulder disability that is related to his service.,Service connection for the right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted, but an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current right knee condition, to include a right knee strain, as it is related to his combat service. The appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder condition was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle fracture and left shoulder impingement disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for the left ankle fracture prior to March 1, 2012, and at 20 percent thereafter. For the left shoulder impingement, he is rated at 10 percent. His tinnitus claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right shoulder disorder, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and diabetes. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right Achilles cord rupture and service connection for left shoulder disability were denied. The Veteran is entitled to a separate, compensable rating for the painful scar at the site of his surgical repair.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected back disability, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of shoulder injury or disease during service, and the Veteran did not present any credible argument to support his claim. As a result, the claims for service connection for shoulder arthritis, hypertension, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and issues with range of motion testing. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are still under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not have its onset during service or within a year of service separation, and is less likely than not related to any disease, injury, or incident therein.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within a year after service separation, and was less likely than not caused by any in-service disease, injury, or event.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for her claims and denied them based on lack of evidence to support her service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left shoulder bursitis, status post surgery with residual scar is being remanded due to the need for further development including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability. The TDIU issue may also be impacted by the outcome of the left shoulder rating claim.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not related to service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar entrapment of the elbows is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is a result of an injury sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with the exception of the claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 1, 2011 for left upper extremity scar. The remaining claims are also granted.