Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, pelvis and femur disorder, right hip condition (claimed as loss of muscle tissue of the right leg), and anemia have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of chronic disabilities in these areas during her military service.,The Veteran has provided no medical evidence diagnosing any current disability in these areas.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by limitation of motion at shoulder level with pain but not limited to 25 degrees from the side, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for his functional loss and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted it. The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is found to be related to his military service. Service connection was also established for a gastrointestinal (GI) disability, which is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability and denied service connection for the appellant's right shoulder strain with degenerative changes. The current rating for the right shoulder condition is 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of the claim for left shoulder and arm pain. The other conditions have been found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's suicide was not caused by any service-connected conditions, and denied claims for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. The cherry angioma of the right shoulder is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain results in functional equivalent of limitation of the arm at shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left total hip replacement. The claim for right rotator cuff injury remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder dislocation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and requests for treatment records.

The Board found no current disability of the right shoulder or right arm and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, but found new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The current evaluation for the right shoulder is 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder impingement syndrome is not related to his service, and the claim for lumbar disability was denied as final. The Veteran's new and material evidence claim for lumbar disability is granted, but the issue of whether it is related to service or aggravated by flat feet remains pending. The Board has also noted that a VA examination should be conducted to determine if the Veteran has any current sleep disorder and its relationship to his lumbar disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently service-connected as secondary to his service-connected lower extremity disabilities. However, the claim requires clarification regarding the relationship between the current right shoulder disability and the service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim was not reopened.,The Board denied service connection for residuals of a neck injury and back disability. The Veteran's claims were not reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder, but the Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding numbness of both hands. Service connection is also granted for Cushing's syndrome.