Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have arthritis of the thoracic spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, feet, elbows, or wrists. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for the veteran's left shoulder strain with tendinitis, finding that it more nearly approximates to 25 degrees to the side with consideration of pain and functional loss. A separate extraschedular rating of 10 percent is also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis in multiple joints was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in hearing officer status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back problems, left leg condition, bilateral ankle condition, right shoulder condition, high blood pressure due to Agent Orange exposure, and ulcer. The criteria for service connection were not met in any of these cases.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as arthritis of multiple joints, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or radiation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, finding that he did not have an employment handicap and thus did not meet the criteria for basic entitlement.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's right elbow disability is rated as noncompensable (0%) and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service or to his service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that the veteran's reported symptoms started during his period of active duty. The other claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder injury and a prior effective date for his left index finger disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional employment records.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disorder during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to any injury sustained in service. As such, service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including degenerative joint disease, was denied.

The VA denied an initial compensable evaluation for benign nevi of the back and shoulders, finding that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is denied because his service-connected disability does not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 70% due to one disability rated at least 40%. The veteran has been rated as 30% disabled, which is less than the required percentage.

The veteran's x-ray residuals are rated at 80 percent, and he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for partial loss of his right ear. The left shoulder condition is rated at 30 percent.,The veteran's left shoulder condition does not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis, impairment of the humerus, marked interference with employment, or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear evidence regarding current residuals of in-service injuries. The veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed with additional medical examination.