Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-operative left shoulder repair with degenerative changes and subscapularis muscle tear, but granted service connection for hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder pain was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, nor in active duty for training. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the current left shoulder disability did not begin during service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The appellant's injury in 1977 was acute and transitory, resolving without residual disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right hamstring muscle strain or chronic tendonitis of the right shoulder related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and consideration of the claims. The issues include service connection for various disorders, including right eye disorder, neck disorder, shoulder disorder, low back disorder, jaw disorder, and right arm disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, left ankle, and right hand disabilities as there is no competent evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left shoulder disorder, mechanical low back pain, left Achilles tendonitis, right Achilles tendon rupture, and costochondritis. The veteran's left shoulder disorder was found to be related to his employment post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, service connection for a low back disability, and service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee. The RO found that there was no exceptional or unusual nature to the veteran's left shoulder disability warranting extraschedular consideration, and did not find any evidence of a current low back disability or osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and status post, left shoulder injury are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis and a right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot, back, and right shoulder conditions are related to his military service. The claims for these disabilities have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection were not received within one year of his discharge from active duty, and therefore an earlier effective date is not warranted. The RO assigned the earliest possible effective date based on the date of receipt of the original claim.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and evidence collection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder claimed as stiff joints, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The other issues on appeal are in a pending status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral congenital proximal radial ulnar ankylosis and shoulder disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing they existed prior to service. The Board also found no aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no evidence of chronic disabilities during active duty or post-service continuity of symptoms. The low back disability claim was not addressed as it is part of a separate remand.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are under review.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur additional disability of the left shoulder or neck as a result of right hip surgery performed by VA in December 1993 and May 1996, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right ankle sprain residuals and a chronic right shoulder disorder, but denied service connection for a chronic right hand disorder.