Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized as a strain, does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's current right thigh, back, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to the human pyramid incident during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left shoulder disability (prior to October 28, 2010) was also rated at 20 percent. From January 1, 2011, the rating for his left shoulder disability has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability did not require further convalescence beyond the initial period of 10 weeks following surgery, as evidenced by his ability to return to work and perform daily activities without restrictions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left shoulder disorder, or right shoulder disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disorder in service and no nexus between the current left shoulder disorder and service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, stomach disorders (hiatal hernia and GERD), and a right shoulder disorder were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss, right and left foot disabilities, ulcers, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, PTSD, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus between any of these conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that a scar on the back/shoulder as a residual of a gunshot wound is due to military service. Further development will be undertaken before addressing the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and left knee disabilities do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of nonunion or dislocation of the clavicle or scapula, nor limitation of motion at shoulder level.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of any chronic disability of the bilateral shoulders, knees, feet, elbows, or hands during active duty service. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking current arthritis in the Veteran's hands, arms, and shoulders to his active service or exposure to herbicides. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a connection.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service or periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

For the period from May 16, 2005, to January 20, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder strain did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there was no limitation of motion at or near shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and left shoulder disability were denied by the Board, with a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD being denied.

The Board found that a bilateral shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty military service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The right foot sprain, left shoulder SLAP repair with residual scarring, and nasal fracture conditions are each rated at the minimum compensable levels (10%). PTSD is currently evaluated as 30% disabling.