Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations for each of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a higher rating for internal derangement of the left knee, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his right shoulder and lumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's postoperative right shoulder with DJD has been rated at 20 percent since November 1994, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left knee disability, right hip trochanteric bursitis (left hip), and left shoulder impingement syndrome with bicep tendonitis were denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 23, 2009 and from January 23, 2009 through February 28, 2010. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected renal failure and postoperative residuals of a kidney transplant resulted in the termination of his total rating. The Board finds that the reduction was not proper due to lack of compliance with applicable regulations, but restores the original 100% rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right shoulder disorders are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability was not manifest in service and is unrelated to service. The left shoulder rotator cuff injury is also not related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6513.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders are not related to her service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1996. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities, including impingement syndrome, type 2 acromion, left shoulder tendon tear, and cyst, had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed hip, knee, and shoulder disorders. The effective date for the 100% evaluation for ischemic heart disease will also be addressed.

The Veteran's right shoulder and bicep tendonitis are currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 16, 2010. The left ankle spurs are also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, post-surgical labral tear, has been rated at 20% since March 3, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disability, migraine headaches, CNS disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and skin disability (melanoma), have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diagnosed low back, right shoulder, or right hip disabilities and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination for his shoulder disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disorder and hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.