Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a right ankle injury in service or for many years thereafter. The current right ankle disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis or other disorders of the shoulders, arms, low back, legs, and joints is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is due to an in-service injury and affords him the benefit of doubt, granting service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder is found to be related to a head trauma he experienced in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of scheduled hearing. The Veteran is requested to attend a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has ordered additional development for the appellant's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disorders, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder injury, cervical strain, and laceration of the left hand should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with a claim for an initial rating higher than 0 percent for the laceration scar on his left hand.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant's authorized representative, thus dismissing the case.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder injury and osteoarthritis, as well as injuries of both knees and osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims were also denied for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2011, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent since then.,The Board found no evidence of inservice injury or chronic disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for locking, pain and effusion into the joint. Beginning July 17, 2012, he has a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee joint.,For his left knee disability, the Veteran receives a 20 percent rating for locking, pain and effusion into the joint. He does not have any limitation of motion warranting an additional rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The fall causing the injury was not related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dematomycosis (fungal skin condition) is service-connected, and his degenerative joint disease of the feet, ankles, knees, and shoulders are not service-connected. The decision also notes that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was remanded but no substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for tendinopathy of the right shoulder, status post arthroscopic surgery; lumbar spine degenerative disc syndrome; and right lower extremity neuropathy. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a left shoulder disorder being related to service, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocation and limited motion, is currently rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating.

The Board found that bowel and bladder dysfunction, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, and neck disorder are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and Tricare treatment records. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, and body joint pain claims.