Shoulder Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right hip disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's right shoulder condition, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 10% due to prostrating attacks occurring once every two months. The veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis are rated at 30% based on six non-incapacitating episodes per year with symptoms like headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting. The right shoulder impingement syndrome is rated at 20%, meeting the criteria for limitation of motion to abduction between 100-180 degrees.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 24, 1994 for the grant of service connection and a compensable rating for left arm disability, low back disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for a right shoulder condition, as it is more likely due to a pre-existing condition or unrelated to service. The veteran's cervical spine and scoliosis conditions were also not supported by the evidence.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current tinnitus, hearing loss, muscle spasms, leg disability, right upper extremity disability, or right hip disability to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The reopened claim is granted.

The VA denied service connection for PTSD, a skin condition of the hands (specifically claimed as a fungus infection of the fingernails), and a left shoulder disorder.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD. The veteran reported stressors but did not meet criteria for PTSD diagnosis.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings in various service-connected disabilities were denied. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 12, 2004 and 30 percent from January 1, 2006. Other conditions had their respective ratings either unchanged or not addressed.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and shrapnel wound, left shoulder do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board denied all claims for service connection and the veteran's appeal is dismissed.

The Board's decision denying an earlier effective date for a right shoulder disability rating was affirmed by the Veterans Court, and thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this motion.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including memory loss, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, elbow disability, and shoulder and thoracic spine disabilities, were denied as they are not considered to be due to undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or shoulder disorder for VA compensation purposes, and there is no evidence of a service connection relationship to her conditions. Therefore, her claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple joint pain and a respiratory condition as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lymphocytic lymphoma. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, or left shoulder disabilities in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss with history of left tympanoplasty, shoulder disability, big toe disability, and right Achilles tendon disability. The evidence did not show a continuity of symptoms or a link between any current disabilities and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders are likely due to injuries sustained during his military service, and grants service connection for these conditions.