Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne and right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for keratosis and hyperkeratosis (claimed as dry skin, tunnels in and under skin, wart-like growths on the feet, extra dry hands, and skin cancer) has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's injuries in a motorcycle accident are being reviewed to determine if they occurred in the line of duty and were not due to willful misconduct. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's alcohol use was excessive.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right shoulder disorder. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right toe disability. The Veteran's current right toe symptoms, along with his statements regarding an in-service injury during an automobile accident, are sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right shoulder injury should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and back disability has been granted. The conditions are linked to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities require additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment. The TDIU claim will also be evaluated in light of the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, manifested by right rotator cuff tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to an injury during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis is rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2004 to April 5, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he failed to appear at the scheduled VA examination and did not provide good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder strain with bursitis, left knee strain, and lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right and left shoulder conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent disabling effective June 19, 2009. The RO found that the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability was denied, and the issue of service connection for a right wrist/arm disability as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder disability was also denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of fibrous union or ankylosis warranting higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for a right shoulder disorder is timely, and thus assumes jurisdiction over this matter. The claim will be addressed further in the Remand portion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as a non-service connected disability causes his employment limitations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been pending since her initial claim in 2006. The Board has now reopened the left shoulder disorder claim, but remains unable to grant a disability evaluation due to lack of evidence establishing a current diagnosis.,The Veteran also testified that she is receiving Social Security benefits based on her disabilities, which should be reviewed by SSA.