Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder capsulitis as secondary to the veteran's service-connected axillary lymphangitis with chronic venous insufficiency of the right upper extremity.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in ankylosis or fibrous union of the humerus. The scar on his shoulder was rated based on its size and tenderness but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the new regulations effective August 30, 2002.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right shoulder disability, rib disability, or right ear hearing loss disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The rating for his L4 to sacrum fusion due to spondylolysis remains at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, knees, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the provision of VCAA notification letters.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, but denied it on the merits due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine osteoarthritis is not related to his military service, including an in-service plane accident. The evidence does not support a connection between the veteran's current condition and his active duty.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim as the right shoulder disability is not related to service.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and a remand for further examination of the veteran's right shoulder disability is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for right knee disability. However, the claims for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral shoulder disorders have been denied as there is no clear evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The right shoulder disorder claim is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants an increased evaluation, but additional evidence is needed to support this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, left shoulder disability, and chest pain. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and a TDIU rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee disability, service connection for right shoulder disorder, reopening of a claim for bilateral hearing loss, and extension of temporary total evaluation following surgery were all denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain in both shoulders and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorder and cervical osteoarthritis are not related to his service, and denied his claims for increased rating of residuals of a left hand ring and little finger injury. The RO had previously granted a 20% rating for the disability under Diagnostic Code 5219.