Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability. The claims for service connection for left kidney, adrenal gland, left testicle, and sleep apnea disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of record supporting their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening the left shoulder disability claim and addressing claims for other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and further review of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and information about the Veteran's earnings from mowing lawns. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to assess his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The VA Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate left shoulder disability and that his pain is due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. As such, they denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining medical opinions regarding secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's left knee, cervical spine, right shoulder, right hip and left ankle disorders are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Effective February 8, 2006, a 10% evaluation is assigned for the right knee.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for his medial meniscal tear of the right knee and residual scar of the left thigh. Service connection was not established for a left knee disability or GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, plantar fasciitis, sinus disability, high cholesterol, heart disability, back disability with sciatica, numbness of the right lower extremity, ruptured disc, neck injury, and left arm and shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in adjudication and a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an updated medical opinion.