Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board found no evidence of Type II diabetes mellitus or PTSD, and the right shoulder injury was not service-connected. The veteran's claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings or establishing new service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate development of the medical records and examination reports.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and arm, as well as his claim for TDIU. The medical evidence showed that the veteran's condition was largely asymptomatic with minimal loss of function.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eye disability and right shoulder disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA will not grant service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, knees, and shoulders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after this process.

The veteran was paid the proper amount of VA benefits while incarcerated, and the appeal for payments in excess of those already received is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back disability, a foot disability, a leg disability, and a shoulder disability. The June 1979 motorcycle accident was determined to have resulted from the veteran's own willful misconduct and alcohol abuse and not in the line of duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, including his arthritis, warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability, which includes degenerative joint disease as shown by X-rays, does not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other applicable diagnostic codes. The current 30 percent rating is maintained.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral shoulder disorder or fractures of the pelvis, pubis and ilium to service. The claim for increased evaluation was denied as well.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disorder and residuals of a right wrist burn do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under applicable VA rating criteria. The current evaluations are deemed adequate.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to the right shoulder is currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The veteran's appeals on increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and seeking an earlier effective date are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right shoulder disability, including post-operative scars, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all evidence.