Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for aching joints, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right hip disabilities due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions were aggravated by military service or preexisted service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a disability manifested by tingling and numbness of the shoulder blades or tongue and head, other than peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities with sensory neuropathy of the right and left ulnar region.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as they are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including DJD and arthroplasty, is causally related to a parachuting injury during his Army National Guard ACDUTRA service in August 1975. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates was denied as his application for benefits was received by VA on January 18, 2007, which is the date he contacted the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office. The one-year deadline for filing a claim after separation from service has expired.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including subluxation and partial rotator cuff tear, has been rated at 30 percent since July 2006. The current range of motion is limited to 80 degrees in flexion and 75 degrees in abduction.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic shoulder disability during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Board also found that there was not enough time between separation from service and the first documented complaints to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are obtained and reviewed, including service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a shell fragment wound of the left shoulder is being remanded due to incomplete development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, and left and right elbow disorders due to a motorcycle accident in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and consideration of unemployability issues.

The VA has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition, and no other service-connected conditions are linked to his claimed disabilities.,VA examinations found diagnoses of medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and lumbar osteoarthritis. The Veteran reported experiencing pain in his shoulders and elbows during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from April 1, 2009. The small bowel perforation post-operative condition remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is established based on his disabilities, including dizziness, shoulder problems, pneumonia, and hypertension. The Board finds that the evidence supports this claim.

The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for the scar on the left shoulder was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his tinnitus and right shoulder/wrist injuries, as well as to obtain updated treatment records.