Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disabilities of the Veteran's right shoulder and back, as well as to obtain any outstanding private treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder was denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is presumed to have been incurred during his military service, but his right shoulder arthritis cannot be linked to his service. The decision on the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left ankle disability, or a right knee disability, that is related to his active service. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any current disabilities are etiologically linked to service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of her right and left shoulder disorders, thus denying both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for a right knee disability. The right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claimed additional disabilities of the neck, lower back, right knee, and right shoulder are not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, post-operative residuals of putti-platt repair with traumatic arthritis and ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome, is currently rated at 30 percent. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion was markedly limited by post-operative changes from a putti-platt procedure which significantly reduced his internal rotation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and right shoulder disorders are not related to his active service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The conditions were first diagnosed many years after service and do not have a direct link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to his right knee disorder, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and right shoulder strain with post-operative repair are currently rated at 10 percent each, as they do not result in arm movement limited to the shoulder level.,Both conditions have been evaluated based on their current functional limitations without additional consideration of service connection or exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right forearm disabilities are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his vascular (migraine) headaches, bilateral inguinal hernia, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been granted. The rating for the vascular (migraine) headaches is now at its highest possible level of 30 percent since July 5, 2011. The ratings for his cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities remain at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for residuals of a left clavicle fracture were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current disabilities to active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, and his bilateral plantar fasciitis has not met the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder or a compensable rating for the bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his left shoulder disability were denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders and for flat feet.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right leg injury residuals, left scrotal mass, arthritis and bursitis of hands and shoulders, left thumb condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, left ankle disorder, right leg fracture residuals/pain, mumps residuals, hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and insomnia. The claims were denied as the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the November 2009 VA examiner's opinion and the need to obtain SSA records.