Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's current joint pain, including rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis in both shoulders and left ankle, is not related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from a bilateral shoulder disorder or low back disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and thoracic and cervical spine condition due to procedural issues, medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between his service-connected low back disability and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for left shoulder pain, muscle tension headaches, residuals of a lateral internal sphincterotomy for an anal fissure, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service connected, as it was incurred during active duty. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the veteran's cancellation of his scheduled video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and thus, service connection cannot be established. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder, left shoulder disorder, or low back disorder during service. The veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and due process consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, neck injury disorder, back injury, right arm injury, and injuries to both shoulders, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral shin splints is granted. The other conditions and issues are denied.

The veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at 30 percent, and his post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder is currently rated at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, chronic head, back, and shoulder puncture wounds are inextricably intertwined with his claim for PTSD.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his residuals of shell fragment wounds to both shoulders, as these conditions are currently rated at 30 and 20 percent respectively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The heart condition, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), bilateral shoulder condition (rotator cuff, tendonitis), arthritis, and foot condition were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for his left shoulder disability and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The current 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disability is maintained, and it does not meet the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his right hip replacement, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a causal relationship to military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to perform self-care functions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his cervical strain, low back strain, migraine headaches, right hip disability, left hip disability, and left shoulder disability were all denied by the RO. The RO found that none of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.