Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic disability manifested by multiple swollen and painful joints (other than of the left shoulder, lumbar spine or right ankle), to include as due to undiagnosed illness. Service connection was also granted for lupus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of right shoulder dislocation but has not established a current disability related to this condition. The other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and to ensure all pertinent records are obtained for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to have a Travel Board or videoconference hearing, and no further action is required until notified.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1971 rating decision that denied service connection for a skin disease of the feet, lymph node infection, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and residuals of a right ankle fracture, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were without legal merit, as his initial claim was received on August 12, 2004 and he did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome with postoperative residuals are denied as the current ratings adequately reflect his disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The right shoulder disability received a temporary 100% evaluation from April 25, 2011 based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence and has been assigned a 20% evaluation since October 1, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was granted to 30%, effective December 1, 2011. The right shoulder disability remains rated at 20% from June 1, 2008 to April 24, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the June 2012 examination report and any VA treatment records. The claims for left ulnar neuropathy and right wrist disability are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service records and need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of his atrial fibrillation and left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the right shoulder have been rated at 20 percent since July 12, 2007. The RO found that there was limitation of motion to shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability, evaluated based on limitation of motion, also does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including provision of a new VA examination to address service connection claims and an opinion regarding entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include right shoulder disability, PTSD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a skeletal injury to include the low back, shoulders and neck, bilateral knee disabilities, and mild symphysis of the pelvis, did not have onset during or as a result of service. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted and assigned effective dates of March 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, but the Board is unable to grant any of his pending claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.