Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, hypertension, and a back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, respiratory problems, neuralgic symptoms, and cognitive impairment are being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.,Service connection is denied for chronic fatigue as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claims for hypothyroidism, sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, bunions, plantars warts, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, shin splints, and left shoulder anthralgia were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has found that the veteran's asthma warrants a 30 percent rating, but his overall disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The hypertension and diabetes mellitus with adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The veteran's claim for increased rating of his right shoulder disability and hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his service-connected right shoulder strain and acromioclavicular strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a muscle injury from the shoulders to the mid-back and an increased rating for his service-connected right hand/wrist injuries with borderline carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no current disability or evidence of such in the record.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the motion for revision of the June 2006 decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error, concluding that there was no CUE in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical information and an examination to determine if the veteran suffered any additional disability as a result of VA medical treatment/surgery in February 2002, and whether there was fault on VA's part.

The veteran's left shoulder dislocation residuals are manifested by limitation of motion, pain on motion, mild osteoarthritis, and recurrent spontaneous dislocations. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia was denied as the condition is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board also notes that further examination may be needed to determine if hypertension and hiatal hernia are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to lack of an issue in controversy.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for his right shoulder disability and left ankle scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates and service connection, finding that no earlier effective dates were warranted based on the evidence of record. The veteran's arthritis and diabetes mellitus are presumed to be related to his military service due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder due to a lack of evidence showing chronicity or continuity of symptomatology during his period of active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Board also found that current disability of the veteran's right shoulder is the result of an injury incurred in active duty, granting the reopened claim.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation for the period from July 26, 2004 to May 23, 2006. For the period commencing on May 24, 2006, the disability is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various spine and joint disabilities were denied by the Board. The conditions are service-connected, but no presumption or secondary theory of connection was established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a neck, right shoulder, right arm, right knee, or right hip disability that is related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence of arthritis in the relevant joints during and after service.