Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, as it is currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right shoulder, including a scar in the right shoulder area, was reopened and granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for PTSD and traumatic ulnar neuropathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The injury sustained during training in 1971 did not result in any residuals and subsequent symptoms were attributed to a 1991 injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's eye, dental/jaw, sinus, left pes bursitis, left trochanteric bursitis, and left shoulder conditions were not related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete review of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including compensation and pension examinations.

The appeal is being remanded due to the timeliness of the Veteran's substantive appeal and a need to reconsider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder and for entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a detached rib.

The Board has denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder but granted the petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The underlying claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there are uncertainties regarding the etiology of the appellant's left shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathic bladder, and lower spine condition.,The effective dates for the awards of service connection for neuropathic bladder and lower spine condition were not granted earlier than February 12, 2007, and July 2, 2002, respectively.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury is being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The claim will be reviewed again with the new information.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to service, including his service-connected fracture of the left radius. The examiner should provide opinions on whether the current right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to service and whether it is aggravated by the service-connected fracture.

The Veteran's recurrent left anterior shoulder dislocation is manifested by degenerative changes, pain, and limitation of motion without ankylosis or impairment of the humerus. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's current ratings are 10% for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation was denied as there is no evidence that he was exposed to ionizing radiation during his active duty. The Board found that infertility, which the Veteran claimed was due to his alleged radiation exposure, is not a radiogenic disease and therefore not service connected.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by tendonitis and an incomplete rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that a higher 40 percent rating is warranted based on the functional loss due to pain during flare-ups resulting in motion of the arm being limited to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left and right shoulder bursitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to assess his right and left shoulder conditions and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trunk and stomach burns with shoulder impairment was denied as there is no current disability to support the claim.