Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to his Merchant Marine service not qualifying as active military service. The Board also found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a sternoclavicular sprain is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has provided credible evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service and current disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, heart disease, and shoulder disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected schizophrenia and these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's rheumatoid arthritis and right shoulder disorder were not incurred or aggravated during her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the Navy Reserve. The evidence did not show a permanent increase in severity beyond the natural progression of the disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left shoulder and right knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a hearing scheduling issue, and no notification of the September 2009 hearing date was provided.

The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis, was found to be incurred during his military service. The issue of service connection for multiple joints pain is pending and will need further clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as the existence of a separate left shin scar. The case will be reviewed after this development.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left shoulder disability, which he claims is related to an injury sustained during active duty. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's stomach/swallowing disability, including dysphagia with hiatal hernia, is service-connected. The claim for tinnitus is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if it is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for the cervical spine, bilateral foot, right shoulder, and right hand disabilities based on evidence of current disability and in-service injury or symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current shoulder disorders are related to service.

The Board previously denied service connection for a left shoulder disability in June 1969. The Veteran has submitted new and material evidence, reopening the claim of service connection. However, further development is needed to determine if the current left shoulder condition is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, left shoulder disability/arthritis, low back disability, and foot disability due to undiagnosed illness. The disabilities were found not related to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also noted that chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service, but did not find any evidence of a current left ear hearing loss condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD. The remaining claims, including a higher initial rating for PTSD and issues related to a right shoulder disability, are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his current shoulder disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral spine; residuals of a right shoulder injury; intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; right arm radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine associated with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine; and headaches, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of right (major) shoulder injury are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to a left shoulder injury incurred during active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of residuals of dislocation of the right shoulder.