Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and depression, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder, and his left shoulder disorder did not increase in severity during service. The Board also found no evidence of a current left knee disorder related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed spinal cord injury, right leg tingling and numbness, tingling in the shoulders bilaterally and neck, and right ankle sprain.

The Board of Veterans Appeals found that the veteran's left shoulder disability was not caused by VA surgical procedures performed in June and September 2000, as there is no evidence showing that these surgeries resulted in additional disability beyond the foreseeable risks covered in informed consents.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a neurologic evaluation and obtaining VA and non-VA medical records. The RO will also issue an SOC regarding the remaining issues.

The veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for subarachnoid hemorrhage has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities are addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected and grants a grant of service connection. The initial rating for TMJ syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to August 6, 2001 and there is no evidence of unemployability due solely to service-connected disabilities prior to this date. Therefore, an effective date earlier than August 6, 2001 for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder and chronic joint pain are related to service, particularly his time as a door gunner during Vietnam.

The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing at the RO, according to the veteran's request in April 2005.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, seizure disorder, hypothyroidism, and joint inflammation of the shoulders, elbows, and right knee were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right (major) shoulder degenerative joint disease with bursitis warrants a 20 percent evaluation, but not more. The disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for arthritis of the neck, shoulders, and back is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, subdural hematoma with headaches, pneumonia, and a right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds and sarcoidosis have been evaluated, with the sarcoidosis receiving a total (100%) evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected osteoporosis of the humerus and postoperative residuals of a dislocation of the left shoulder, limitation of motion of the left shoulder, and surgical scar on the left shoulder. The current ratings are found to be appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury.