Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from May 1989.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, decreased concentration, memory loss, and sleep impairment as well as joint pain. The evidence does not support a finding of undiagnosed illness or chronic disability resulting from such conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and frostbite of the hands and feet have been denied. The veteran was granted initial compensable evaluations (0% from June 1, 2002 to November 25, 2002; 10% since November 26, 2002) for his service-connected impingement syndrome of the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, a bilateral knee disorder, a neck disorder, and a bilateral shoulder disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability warrants a 30 percent rating based on limitation of motion, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right foot, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder strain and low back condition are not caused by or a result of VA training and rehabilitation services, thus denying his claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's loss of use of the left arm was not caused by VA negligence or carelessness, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting x-ray findings and a need for clarification of the relationship between the veteran's left shoulder disorder and service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, including arthritis, and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, it is denied as there is no credible evidence linking current shoulder disability to service.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow.

The Board is denying the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between his service and any claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, bilateral hearing loss, left knee injury, prostatitis, and right shoulder fracture were denied on the merits. The claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's current shoulder and knee conditions are not related to service, but granted service connection for hearing loss disability due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability (SLAP lesion) and bilateral arthritis of the shoulders, finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further examination to determine if any knee, shoulder or ankle disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's appeal involves several issues, including compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for VA treatment of a fractured right clavicle and service connection for vascular insufficiency of the left leg. The RO must obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and re-adjudicate his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left ankle fracture, left knee bursitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.