Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities are not related to his active service. The VA examinations concluded that these conditions were more likely due to post-service occupational activities.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder instability were incurred in active service.,The Veteran's left and right knee instability were incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability involving his left knee or low back, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and retinopathy are denied as there is no diagnosed condition. The claim for service connection of bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also established for diabetes mellitus type II as a result of herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Veteran's interstitial fibrosis (asbestosis) was found to be aggravated by his pre-existing asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's corn on the right little toe and left shoulder condition claims are not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities have been granted initial compensable disability ratings of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 60 percent for IVDS with pronounced symptoms, including sciatic neuropathy and demonstrable deformity of a vertebral body. The right shoulder arthritis is not entitled to an increased rating.,The left shoulder arthritis warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for compression fractures of the thoracic spine and a pinched nerve in the left shoulder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for the former condition and denying both conditions as secondary to his second period of service under other than honorable conditions.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, defective vision, and skin disability of the foot. The Veteran's only diagnosed condition is chronic alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to his August 2007 surgery, met the criteria for a higher 10 percent rating. However, he already received a temporary 100 percent rating from August 21 to November 30, 2007 due to convalescence following that surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right hip disability, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The claims of service connection for back and neck/shoulder disabilities are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left shoulder disability due to further development and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and left ankle disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had a history of left ankle strain/sprain during his military service but no current diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology for right shoulder or left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any diagnosed right leg, right shoulder, right elbow, or bilateral knee disorders. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disabilities. However, due to conflicting evidence regarding whether these conditions pre-existed the Reserve injuries or were aggravated by them, a full VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, hip, and rib fractures are not service-connected as they did not develop due to his period of active duty. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of aggravation during or as a result of active military service.