Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right shoulder injury is not service-connected. The Board denied the increased rating claim for the left knee and did not find service connection for the right shoulder injury.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 1, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of this level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current left knee, left arm, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea syndrome, chronic left shoulder strain with laxity, muscle and joint pain of hands, and short term memory loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for left and right shoulder tendonitis was denied. The Veteran received a 20% rating for his right shoulder tendonitis from October 12, 2005 to March 23, 2010.,Since March 24, 2010, the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right shoulder tendonitis remains denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder dislocation is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his left knee disability, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability on a secondary basis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim remains pending. His left shoulder disability claim also remains pending. Increased ratings are sought for both service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is currently employed in an administrative/personnel capacity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for visual impairment (blurry vision), arthritis of the left shoulder, and arthritis of the right shoulder were denied. The Board found that his complaints did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were related to pre-existing conditions or unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request to reschedule his videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right shoulder disability. The claim for an increased rating for sciatic nerve paralysis was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal does not involve service connection for a right bicep disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of a current right bicep disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not secondary to a pre-existing left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right leg disorder to include arthritis that was incurred or aggravated by her active duty service. The VA examination did not find any current right leg disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder remain at 10 percent, as his conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion or x-ray findings.

The Board has granted service connection for left rotator cuff tear and right shoulder strain, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VCAA notice and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder disability and bilateral shin stress fractures.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for further medical examination and development of evidence. The Veteran's claim is currently on hold until such time as additional information can be provided.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder and a right elbow olecrison bursitis were denied as there is no current disability of the right shoulder that can be related to service.