Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including colon cancer and COPD, all of which were attributed to asbestos exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any other inservice event.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic insomnia, initial evaluations of post-operative right shoulder instability and left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and initial compensable evaluations for right ulnar nerve neuritis were denied. The veteran's claim for L1 compression fracture residuals was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and joint pain of the shoulders, hips, and elbows. The reasons were that there was no verified stressor for PTSD, and the veteran did not have objective signs of a chronic disability for fatigue or joint pain.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the right shoulder, which currently results in a 30 percent disability. The case has been remanded due to inadequate peripheral nerve examination and need for proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and status post right kidney anomaly due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding his claim for increased evaluations for disabilities involving the left shoulder, the left knee, the right shoulder, and the lower back. As a result, the March 2003 rating decision is denied.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and verify the veteran's service dates. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has restored the veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome rating to 30 percent effective April 1, 2005. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back disability and left shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, jaw and mandible disabilities, and a deviated septum. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, left forearm scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left shoulder strain are not met. The claim for an increased rating for the left foot disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of frostbite or brain damage, and therefore cannot be granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for service connection for Reiter's syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee, shoulder, and ankle disorders are not related to his active service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disability did not result in limitation of motion at shoulder level, and thus denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a blunt trauma to the face, neck, and right shoulder are not related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and development of the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eye disorder and left shoulder disorder are not service-connected, but has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that his service-connected bursitis of the right shoulder was rated appropriately at 10 percent since May 1, 1996, and his left hip condition did not warrant a higher rating. The veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he had other service-connected disabilities that allowed him to engage in some form of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for weight problems, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of a relationship between any present disabilities and his military service. The conditions were not related to herbicide exposure as he did not serve in Vietnam.