Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for stress incontinence and denied service connection for the left shoulder disability. The Veteran's bladder condition is found to have started during active duty, while her shoulder disability is attributed to a work injury post-service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected inflammatory arthritis. However, his right and left hand disabilities are denied increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's painful scar residuals of his right shoulder disability are entitled to a separate compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II, is found to be service-connected.,Service connection for left and right eye disorders due to diabetic retinopathy is granted.,No service connection is granted for the left foot or right foot disorders.,Service connection for left and right shoulder disorders is not established.,The Veteran's sleep disorder (insomnia) and gastrointestinal disorder are not found to be related to service.,Fatigue as a chronic condition is not found to be related to service.,Headache disorder secondary to hypertension is also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's TMJD with bone resorption is rated at 50 percent effective August 25, 2008. The other issues on appeal are not currently before the Board.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his issues on appeal, including those related to diabetes mellitus, insomnia, retinopathy, skin condition, neck condition, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and shingles. The Board finds that the Veteran's withdrawal constitutes a dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to her service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and scar on his face are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed respiratory disorder, bilateral shoulder arthritis, fatigue syndrome, tension headaches, or sleep apnea. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right shoulder disorders did not have their onset during any period of active duty service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and hallux valgus, as well as his left shoulder disorder, are service-connected. The evidence supports a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of chronic right or left shoulder conditions during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pituitary gland disorder and for reopening her claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right knee disorders. The rating assigned for chondromalacia patella of the left knee status post left total knee replacement with scarring was 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and service connection. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence related to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder is not manifested by limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, warranting a maximum rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left hip is not manifested by limitation of abduction of thigh with motion lost beyond 10 degrees, warranting a maximum rating of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, including arthritis, did not have their clinical onset in or are otherwise related to active service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent, effective from September 1, 2012. The TDIU claim is also granted.