Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the wrists, hands, shoulders, back and hips. The medical opinions obtained do not support a link between her service or her service-connected bilateral knee disorder and any currently diagnosed disorders.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disability was not caused by VA treatment and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, finding no current disabilities or objective evidence of chronicity.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, claimed as tendonitis, is being reviewed. The VA will conduct further examination and review of medical records to determine if there is any link between his current left shoulder condition and his service-connected TKA.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, including memory loss, cramps of the hands and legs, joint pain, low fever, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left shoulder strain with tendinitis. The Court granted the parties' motion to vacate only that action and remanded the case back to the Board for readjudication.

The VA has denied all increased rating claims for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right eye cataract, right and left ankle injuries, right and left knee injuries, and right shoulder acromioclavicular separation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for disability of the cervical spine. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and left shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tear were not addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of participation in extracurricular activities during service and additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's disabilities.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disability, as there is no competent medical opinion linking it to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and severity of his right shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities, as well as whether any current disabilities are related to service or other factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond June 1, 2003.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for PTSD, but not for his right shoulder or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of injury to the left shoulder and scoliosis of the thoracic spine, but further development is needed as the decision on the merits cannot be made at this time.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral pes planus, left shoulder dislocation, and low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The highest rating of 30% is assigned for the psychiatric disorder, and ratings up to 20% are assigned for various muscle injuries in the neck, shoulder, and scalp.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disease of the right shoulder and hands, including as secondary to arthralgia-myalgia syndrome, probable rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis of left shoulder. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury. The claims of service connection for residuals of right hip and right shoulder injuries are denied.