Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's combined disability rating is now at 70%, meeting the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from October 25, 2004 until April 24, 2005.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to February 28, 2007 for the awards of service connection for right (major) shoulder strain, left hip strain, lumbar strain, bilateral tinnitus, pes planus, left lateral leg scar residuals, post-operative pilonidal cyst removal scar residuals, and psoriasis is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain an injury or disease of the right shoulder in service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The current right shoulder disorder is not related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorders are not related to his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as whether the Veteran currently has a separate and distinct left shoulder disability. The RO should obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and request copies of any SSA disability benefits award letter.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for recurrent dislocation of bilateral shoulders, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder strains are currently rated as 20 percent disabling each, effective July 8, 2010. The appeal is denied for higher ratings prior to that date.,The Veteran's complete edentulous condition does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The claim will now be remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's bladder disorder and left shoulder disorder were not found to be related to his military service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting statements and lack of medical records, including a 2004 surgical report.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), left shoulder disability, nerve disability, and bilateral knee disability were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 12, 2012. The RO had previously granted an initial 10 percent rating and then increased it to 20 percent effective June 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and arm disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent from May 1, 2007. Prior to that date, the disability was not higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various orthopedic and neurological conditions have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder surgery performed on April 27, 2007 resulted in service connection for impingement syndrome, right shoulder with status post rotator cuff and arthroscopic surgical treatment. However, a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 is denied as the disability was not yet service-connected at the time of surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion clarifying whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, finding new and material evidence. The diabetes mellitus claim is not on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran now asserts that he experiences left knee problems as a result of his service-connected right knee and right ankle disorders, which would allow for secondary service connection.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to scars on the head, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, melanoma and dental condition.