Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2010 VA medical examination report.,Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from Maryview Hospital and OPM disability determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has resulted in a limitation of motion or function to the arm level, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between any current left shoulder and left elbow disabilities and service. Additionally, his claim for a compensable rating for herpes simplex type I and II will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right arm and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current symptoms and any incident during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is service-connected, but his bilateral hand disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was granted, and he is currently assigned a 20% rating effective March 4, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on all issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed low back, shoulder, knee, and hearing loss conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder and spine disorder are related to service, with continuity of symptoms since separation. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and SSA disability determination records. The effective dates of his increased ratings for left temporomandibular joint and right shoulder disabilities may also be reconsidered.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, endometriosis, and migraines all claimed as due to MST. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for impingement syndrome, right shoulder is being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran died from cocaine and methadone intoxication, but there is no evidence of drug abuse prior to August 13, 1981. The claim for REPS benefits is denied as the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU on schedular basis has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, claimed as aches and joint pain in the shoulders, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, was denied. The evidence does not support granting service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, but further development is needed to address the merits of the underlying service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic diarrhea and joint pain, including arthritis of the low back and each shoulder, due to exposure during service in the Gulf War. The Veteran's symptoms are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right elbow or right shoulder disability. The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by pain, weakness, stiffness, swelling and limited ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods, results in moderate disability.