Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and an income verification form. The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disorders are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions began in or are otherwise linked to his military service.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and anxiety disorders preclude her from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back, left shoulder, and left elbow disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions are more likely due to natural degenerative changes associated with aging.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral eye disorders and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. With full consideration of his educational background and occupational experience, the Board finds that the Veteran is precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability was not productive of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side during the period from December 1, 2008 through October 28, 2009. As a result, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left foot disability as new and material evidence was not received. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. Service connection for hypertension was also granted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was found to be manifested by limitation of abduction to at worst 30 degrees from September 1, 2010, to July 29, 2011. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to May 26, 2010 and from September 1, 2012 was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders was denied because she failed to report for a necessary VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hypertension (HYT), and hemorrhoids was denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder and left shoulder disorders, right ankle disorder, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and loss of use of a creative organ. The decision also addressed his claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a chronic left shoulder disorder are currently before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to service.,Service records did not show any injury or abnormality in the shoulders during service. Multiple VA examinations found no current residuals from putative service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper extremity disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. However, additional development is needed to determine his employability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining records from Keesler Air Force Base and a VA examiner's opinion regarding his current shoulder condition.