Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The underlying claims for left shoulder disability and residuals of a broken arm remain pending.

The Veteran does not have a left wrist or left shoulder disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disability was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his major depressive disorder, did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to August 10, 2005. As of that date, he is in receipt of special monthly compensation at the level of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations for certain conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify his current diagnoses and obtain medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sickle cell trait, lumbar spine disorder, kidney disorder, pancreas disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral arm and shoulder disorders. The decision found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty service, including his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in the Air Force Reserve from 1977 to 1993. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is warranted from April 20, 2006. The facial scar and left shoulder disorders do not meet or approximate criteria warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow and knee disorders has been remanded due to ambiguities in the record and the need for medical opinions regarding the existence and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule him for additional examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right shoulder conditions are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome prior to March 13, 2008, were rated at 20 percent. From June 1, 2008, the rating was increased to 20 percent for his right shoulder condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent right shoulder sprain and residuals of left and right ankle strain has been granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 3, 2010.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability are found to be related to service. However, the residuals of a head injury are not considered due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, characterized by some limitation of motion and recurrent dislocation, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of bilateral shoulder blade dislocation is denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit this information.