Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the hands, feet, shoulder, and back is being remanded due to inadequate examination in May 2010. The case will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition and found that new and material evidence had been submitted. The issue is now on remand for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, muscle fatigue, headaches, skin rash, and problems taking deep breaths, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement and residuals of rotator cuff repairs are rated at 20 percent, effective July 26, 2010. The service connection claim for a disorder of the spine or musculature of the neck or upper back is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, effective December 9, 2002. The Veteran's service-connected chronic left C7 radiculopathy and proximal brachial plexopathy have also been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, as the evidence does not show an injury in service or a current disability related to such.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for further development, including obtaining clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment history and scheduling him for a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed right leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left leg disorder. The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer), and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer) and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness and left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his claimed gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The issues also include entitlement to service connection for gunshot/shrapnel wound residuals of the neck and buttocks, right leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, left leg disorder manifested by tingling and numbness, and left shoulder melanoma (claimed as skin cancer).

The Board has granted service connection for nosebleeds (epistaxis) on a secondary basis. The right knee and left shoulder disabilities are pending as the etiology is unclear without resort to mere speculation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is manifested by constant pain, limited motion of the non-dominant arm with pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance and incoordination with repetitive motion. The Veteran's disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness affecting the right ankle, left hip, and both shoulders, and sinusitis with headaches and blurred vision are all rated at their maximum disability levels of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder was denied as there is no evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 29, 2006.,Service connection for a low back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of the facts pertinent to his claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as an increased rating for a back disability. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to submit additional evidence and respond to any supplemental SOC.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. The effective date for the PTSD claim remains March 4, 2008.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since July 1, 2007. The RO found clear and unmistakable error in the evaluation of the left shoulder prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case and VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a jaw/dental disorder and left shoulder disability, but has not decided whether these claims are ultimately granted.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's spinal and left shoulder disabilities and his military service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, including degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not shown to be related to a service-connected condition. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder bursitis, lumbar myositis, and major depressive disorder or other acquired nervous disorder (secondary to service-connected residuals of leishmaniasis).