Shoulder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5201. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for painful scarring associated with the disability has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is less likely than not related to his service, and arthritis was first shown many years after service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and right shoulder were granted, with ratings assigned. The initial rating for the thoracolumbar spine is 20 percent effective July 31, 2012, and for the right shoulder is 30 percent effective November 20, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right shoulder disabilities, diagnosed as moderate degenerative disease and bursitis of the left shoulder and mild degenerative disease of the right shoulder, were incurred as a result of her active military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, equivalent to limitation of motion to shoulder level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability and degenerative changes of the thoracic and lumbar spines. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder tendinopathy and degenerative joint disease did not have its clinical onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating of 10 percent from January 1, 2008, to July 25, 2012, and higher than 20 percent from July 26, 2012, for degenerative changes of the knees and left shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder AC joint arthritis and found that the Veteran's current endocrine disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple disabilities, including a low back disability and associated shoulder and neck issues. The appeal has been remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, left great toe with degenerative arthritis and hallux rigidus, and right shoulder condition were all granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is March 26, 1992, but no earlier. Service connection was established for the left great toe with degenerative arthritis and hallux rigidus. The claim for the right shoulder condition was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's March 2009 left shoulder hemiarthroplasty surgery did not necessitate convalescence beyond September 20, 2009. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against finding an extension of a temporary total disability rating was needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, left shoulder, and right index finger disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders are caused by his service-connected low back disability, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left ankle disabilities are not related to service.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability present during or following service. The Veteran did not seek treatment for a left shoulder problem until 2003, which was many years after separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein due to herbicide exposure. As a result, secondary service connection for his other claimed disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance was granted, with the effective date set at November 16, 2001.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during his active service and is granted service connection.