Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee sprain, and bilateral ankle disabilities have been denied as there is no current disability found in her medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, left and right shoulder disorders, a left knee disorder, a right wrist disorder, a left wrist disorder, tinnitus, and a sinus disorder. The appeal was based on new evidence submitted after her initial claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and back disorders, as well as to evaluate his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip osteopenia and loss of bilateral shoulder muscle mass are not related to his service-connected spine disabilities, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected spinal disability does not result in any of the claimed conditions, and thus these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tendonitis of the left shoulder is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination will be scheduled to evaluate the current severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was not manifested during service, is not a result of a disease or injury in service, and is not causally related to, or aggravated by, his service-connected right shoulder disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder with scars is rated at 20 percent effective from October 11, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiac disease and cervical spine disorders, are not service-connected as they were first shown decades after military service and are unrelated to any incident during active service. The claims for secondary service connection have also been denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was granted, with an effective date of September 16, 2006. The current evaluation is 10 percent for the period prior to January 6, 2012 and 20 percent as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and right hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims. The left hip disability and lumbar spine disability have been improperly severed from service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder capsulitis including right upper extremity complex regional pain syndrome was denied. The current evaluation is considered appropriate based on the limited range of motion demonstrated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, and dermatitis claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the July 2002 denial of service connection was final, and no new and material evidence had been received within one year of notification.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service. The Veteran's complaints of pain in joints are being evaluated again by VA.