Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal disease, respiratory condition (COPD), or right shoulder disability related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, xerosis and onychomycosis involving the hands and feet, residuals of a left shoulder injury, and a disabling throat condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and granted it. The right shoulder condition is denied, but the right knee condition related to patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is granted.,Service connection was established for a back disability due to an in-service injury. Service connection for a right shoulder condition was denied as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service. The right knee condition secondary to the left knee condition is now service-connected.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the scar from shrapnel to the left shoulder, effective as of the date of the decision. The claim for an increased rating for retained shrapnel in the neck remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, hip joints, elbows, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted service connection, but not the requested increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The evidence does not support these claims as they are not related to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and re-adjudicating the issues of increased disability ratings for right shoulder bursitis with traumatic arthritis, left hip bursitis, and TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to service or his service-connected left hip disability. The right shoulder disorder was also not addressed in detail, leading to a remand for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, which includes osteochondromatosis and degenerative joint disease. The condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 5201 due to limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for his service-connected arthritis of the left shoulder, status post total shoulder replacement, effective from March 1, 2003.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher SMC ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher level of care or aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left shoulder bursitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disease and Sprengel's deformity of both shoulders. The veteran is not entitled to initial compensable ratings for his right knee and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and the Board has found no evidence of service connection for thoracic or cervical spine scoliosis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.