Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service for most conditions, except for hepatitis C which was granted up to 30 percent prior to October 26, 2009.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 8, 2010. The Board also granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for loss of teeth, bilateral knee condition, and left arm condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting statements from the Veteran regarding his appeal, and the need for proper notification and development of claims. The application to reopen a claim for service connection for residuals of laceration to the left shin is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders have been reopened. Bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service.,Tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO. The issues are service connection for Hepatitis C and an increased rating for bursitis, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain his complete service treatment records, including those from the Army Reserve Personnel Center and the Alabama Adjutant General Office.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition and a right leg condition have been denied as there is no evidence of any current disability related to his in-service injury, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient credible evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his active service. The decision also noted that crutches used following total knee replacements did not cause or aggravate his left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, as well as his bilateral ankle, left hip, low back, and left shoulder disabilities. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current incontinence, skin disorder, low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits sought remain denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including recurrent dislocation and a history of fracture, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to July 28, 2009. Claims for service connection have been reopened and direct service connection has been established for a left hand disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left hand injury or right shoulder disability attributable to active service.,However, he was granted service connection for numbness of the shoulders, arms, and chest and residuals of a dental trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for clarification of opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his service treatment records and for a comprehensive VA examination to clarify the current diagnoses and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current shoulder pain and his military service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify his diagnosis(es) and provide an adequate medical nexus opinion.