Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or at any point after service. The current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including arthritis, impingement syndrome, and rotator cuff tear, is not related to his service. The disability was first documented after separation from service, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff injury is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of eczema due to herbicide exposure, and his headaches were found to be related to PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, with mild degenerative joint disease, effective November 30, 2006. The Veteran's claim was based on his active duty service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spinal disability is rated at 40 percent since April 2, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right shoulder disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service. New evidence submitted since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, the maximum rating available for limitation of motion without ankylosis. The claim for a higher rating is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being required, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his left shoulder injury, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and residuals of an injury to the right ear drum.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which resulted from a fracture and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened. However, the claim for a left shoulder disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear diagnoses and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and need for further development, including verification of dates of active duty and National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, TMJ disorder, and an initial compensable rating for a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus but not for right shoulder strain or neurological impairment of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a right thumb injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection. His right thumb disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to address the issue of secondary service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability. The Veteran claims his current left shoulder disability may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and no current disabilities are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and left ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.