Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and skin disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran currently has left shoulder and right knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examination results will be used to assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent, effective as of the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for a low back disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, IBS, and dyspepsia were denied service connection. The initial compensable evaluation for IBS and dyspepsia was granted from October 14, 2004 to April 19, 2006, but a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, residuals of an acromioclavicular separation is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and buttock, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted effective June 17, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for right shoulder strain and the evaluation of Lyme disease are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied. The appeals for initial compensable evaluations for residual of scars, bilateral inguinal hernia repairs and folliculitis barbae were withdrawn by the Veteran. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for blastocystis hominis remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder condition was not caused by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and a headache disorder. These conditions are related to injuries sustained during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not have its onset during active service or within one year after separation from service, and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claims for service connection for orthopedic disabilities involving his right and left shoulders. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic right shoulder strain was denied as she failed to report for a necessary VA examination. The claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability with nerve involvement, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA medical opinion regarding service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder disability is not related to service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder bursitis with frozen shoulder joint, left shoulder bursitis with frozen shoulder joint, and left knee total arthroplasty with prosthesis were denied. The maximum schedular ratings have not been assigned.