Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for parotiditis, mumps, lymphadenopathy, a disorder of the right shoulder node, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disability were all denied. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to determine whether she served in the Persian Gulf War. The claims for higher ratings for her disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating. The claim for increased rating for his left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability and for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for additional evidence to be considered and a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) to address this evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, bilateral ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a spinal cord disorder has also been reopened.,The evidence received is not sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for multiple uterine fibroids.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right hip disability, left shoulder AC joint separation, cervical spine disability, and neurological disability of the right lower extremity. The decision found that there was no current disability in these areas.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, as well as chronic left shoulder strain associated with the right shoulder condition, were denied. The conditions are rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, has not been shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, right middle ear damage with hearing loss, and memory loss are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip bursitis, cervical strain, status post right shoulder dislocation, and ganglion cyst of the left wrist are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher initial ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected tendonitis of the right shoulder is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional information regarding employment impact.

The Veteran's adhesive capsulitis and surgical scars of the right shoulder were granted increased ratings, with a 40% rating for adhesive capsulitis effective March 4, 2011.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective January 19, 2011. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a bunionectomy of the left foot and service connection for a right elbow disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unemployable since May 2006. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder disability is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for decision and have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder has been rated at 10 percent since January 22, 2003. The rating is effective throughout the period beginning January 22, 2003, excluding periods where a temporary total rating has already been assigned.