Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic disabilities in her arms and hands, as well as joint pain in her shoulders, neck, legs, feet, and ankles, finding that these conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and left ankle disorder due to the combat presumption. Service connection for a digestive disorder is also granted. Lung disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to a procedural error in the December 1969 rating decision, which did not notify him of his denial. The Board will consider these matters as new and material evidence is not required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, heart disorder, and right knee internal derangement were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than December 17, 2005 for PTSD was also denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a date. Service connection for the remaining conditions was not granted due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder rotator cuff strain, joint disorder, back disorder, and hemorrhoids were denied. The claim for hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the left great toe was granted but not at a compensable rating prior to January 5, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right shoulder arthritis prior to August 4, 2005, and left shoulder arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and hip disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current disabilities are more likely than not age-related rather than secondary to in-service injuries.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions were not incurred in service or related to his active duty, and denied all claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a postoperative scar of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen his left knee disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the issue of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is likely attributable to his service. The right shoulder disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuance of proper notice and a VA opinion regarding whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his military service. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, shoulder disability, and knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings for left (non-dominant) shoulder strain with bursitis and hiatal hernia with ulcerative esophagitis.

The Veteran does not have squamous cell carcinoma, and the benign lesion on his right shoulder is not etiologically related to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and need for clarification of specific dates and duty status during National Guard training.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder with impingement is manifested by complaints of pain, as well as objective findings of weakness and limitation of motion. The RO has granted an initial 20 percent rating for this condition.