Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service-connected as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's lumbago and bilateral L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 facet syndrome are considered service-connected due to continuity of symptoms since active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcoholism, high cholesterol, right shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied as a matter of law due to the prohibition on direct service connection for these conditions based on their relationship to substance abuse. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids is also denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left shoulder and left knee conditions, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent prior to April 26, 2010 and at 20 percent as of that date. He also has a separate 10 percent rating for his painful scar. The cervical spine disorder is found to be secondary to the service-connected left shoulder disability. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD, right shoulder joint disability, and scarring disabilities. The current evaluations are considered adequate.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for reopening of service connection for left shoulder disability, skin disability, and respiratory disability (to include emphysema). The claim for GERD was not granted. Right ear hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's current joint disabilities, including shoulder and cervical spine conditions, are related to service. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of the record, including securing VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been presented. The Veteran's right hip, shoulder, sleep apnea, and knee conditions are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his left shoulder disability was denied due to failure to report for a VA examination. The case is now being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as their relationship to service. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability and bilateral shoulder disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of service connection were remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shoulder conditions have been denied. The current effective dates for the grants of service connection are established as per the RO's decisions.,The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for total arthroplasty of the right shoulder, and 20 percent each for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder and recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder. The claims for higher ratings remain pending.