Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, without considering his age and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis with an effective date of August 23, 2000 and a rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and clarification of certain diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran did not exhibit a right shoulder disability in service, arthritis was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and a right shoulder disability is not etiologically related to any injury or disease during the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.

The Veteran's low back, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and left foot disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider VA treatment records from the Amarillo VAMC, and the case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for muscle groups and scars of the right shoulder was denied as there is no evidence of tenderness, ulceration or pain on examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on the range of motion and symptoms reported.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, left shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The VA examiner provided rationale for each condition, concluding that there was no link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 1999, to February 2000.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate examination for each issue on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disorder that is due to disease or injury incurred in service. The VA examiner found no medical relationship between the current left shoulder problem and any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 22, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right arm and left arm disabilities, as well as psychiatric disorder (listed as depression) and COPD, all secondary to service-connected conditions or other causes. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder has been rated at 10 percent since May 29, 2006. The current rating is considered appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a cervical spine injury, including cervical radiculopathy at C5 and C6 and involving the left upper extremity, are related to an injury in service and grants service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), residuals of a head injury to include memory loss and seizures, and varicose veins. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.