Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations have been granted, with effective dates ranging from April 29, 2008 to May 13, 2009. The specific conditions include a left knee disorder, foot disorders (pes planus and hallux valgus), left eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, ankle tendinosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The decision does not specify which conditions or issues were denied, but it is clear from the context that all of the listed conditions and issues were addressed.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right wrist CTS were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent effective February 10, 2009. The right wrist CTS received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective August 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided sufficient evidence to support this conclusion.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a right shoulder injury or disease during active service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability related to service and the Board finds no evidence of any such disability. As such, service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not considered to be caused by VA care, and the Board finds that there was no negligence or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing the treatment. The additional disability is deemed to be a temporary increase in neuropathy with increased weakness and decreased reflexes resulting from surgery performed in July 2001.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities were found to be as severe prior to May 6, 2013 as they were shown to be during the VA examination conducted on that date. The initial ratings of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability and 10 percent for the right shoulder disability are granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as acromioclavicular joint separation and osteoarthritis, has been continuously productive of symptoms since service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the current disability had its clinical onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for insomnia associated with PTSD with major depressive disorder is also denied as it is considered part of the same disability.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's left knee, right shoulder, or lumbar spine disorders are caused by his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current condition is not related to any incident during service. The Board also noted that he had a car accident in November 1988 which resulted in his current shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and service treatment records from the Veteran's active duty periods.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to loss of use in hands or feet.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Hanta Virus, IBS, anemia (claimed as blood thinning), left ear disability, skin disability, and leishmaniasis were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right shoulder degenerative joint disease and acromioclavicular joint arthropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder conditions have been rated at 10 percent since September 2010. The RO has granted increased ratings for both shoulders, effective September 24, 2012.