Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic lumbar or cervical spine pathology during service or within one year post-service.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine and found that a compensable initial evaluation was not warranted for lipoma scars.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and lack of recent examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder bursitis, erectile dysfunction, left foot spurs, a disability manifested by left little toe being larger than right little toe, and low back disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions without any presumption or secondary linkage to service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder or neck disorder due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to requests for additional evidence within the required timeframe.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected shell fragment wounds are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional examinations and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired bayonet wounds to shoulders and legs, as well as PTSD. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of in-service injury or treatment related to these conditions, and no competent medical opinion linking current shoulder and leg problems to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with psychotic features and schizophrenia. The Board also found that the veteran had a lumbar spine strain and sprain, right shoulder injury, cervical spine condition, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids that are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee conditions are not service-connected, but his asthma claim is reopened due to new evidence. The veteran's preexisting asthma was aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent left shoulder strain and denied the veteran's claims for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for her bilateral foot disorder was granted, with the effective date being determined by the RO.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right lung disorder and a right wrist disorder. The other issues on appeal are related to sinusitis, Achilles tendon disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder.

The veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his symptoms and active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability, shoulder disabilities, and elbow disabilities are related to his service. Tinnitus is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint and muscle pain of the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, and for post-traumatic stress disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for right shoulder arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination of his condition.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder and bilateral knee disorders were not related to service or his service-connected PTSD. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied as there is no evidence showing VA treatment caused the veteran's injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder, arm, knee, hip, and neck disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence showed no treatment for orthopedic problems during or immediately after service, and the disorders were first noted many years post-service following a motorcycle accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.