Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all available records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 50 percent disability rating effective August 10, 2009. His left shoulder degenerative joint disease (status post left acromioclavicular fracture) was also granted with a 10 percent disability rating effective the same date.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. The VA found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and a left thigh disorder. As such, the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder tendonitis has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision was not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The left shoulder disorder issue is pending as it has yet to be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and scar was denied as the assigned schedular evaluations were found to be adequate.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred during or as a result of his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied, while his radiculopathy was granted. The right shoulder disorder claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of his right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right elbow epicondylitis, and residuals of right thigh lipoma scar.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is found to be related to his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran is determined to be unemployable due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims will be adjudicated under a merits analysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of chronic bronchitis or right shoulder disorder in service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish current disabilities. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left wrist arthritis. The claim for chloracne is also reopened. However, the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure or other causes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis, Adie's tonic syndrome (right eye), nasal deformity, GERD, keratosis, right trapezius muscle spasms (claimed as right shoulder pain), cervical strain, obstructive sleep apnea, thrombosed hemorrhoids, bladder disorder, prostate disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's in-patient and out-patient treatment records from various VA facilities, as well as any relevant service treatment records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, sinus disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service-connected right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities, while his left shoulder disability is not related to any service-connected condition. The claim for a TDIU is being remanded.