Shoulder decisions — 2007

The veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome, right forearm fracture with post-traumatic synostosis radius and ulna, left forearm fracture with post-traumatic synostosis radius and ulna and bone spur, and right elbow fracture with bone spur are all rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The veteran's fatal congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease were not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for his shrapnel injury to the left shoulder, finding no evidence of current disability or a link between in-service exposure and present symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability and a left shoulder scar, with the left shoulder disability rated at 20 percent effective February 5, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from Florida and Massachusetts, scheduling the veteran for VA orthopedic and neurological examinations to assess his shell fragment wound residuals, and considering the evidence in light of these new evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current right shoulder disability and whether it is related to service.

The veteran's hypertension and chronic renal insufficiency with dialysis are service connected as secondary to in-service hypertension. The positive TB test is not considered a disability for VA purposes, and allergic conjunctivitis, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea cruris were acute and transitory conditions that resolved without residual disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's employment was not marginal and her TDIU rating was terminated effective January 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, eczema of bilateral hands and left shoulder disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claims are denied.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder reconstruction and hernia repair do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined disability rating is less than the required threshold for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, and denied his increased rating claims for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, right shoulder disability, and inguinal hernia. The claims are based on direct evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that service connection for chloracne and nonspecific inflammation of the legs, shoulders, stomach, and eyes is granted. However, there was no evidence to support a compensable rating for right shoulder disability or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for numbness of the third, fourth, and fifth fingers of the right hand.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck, low back, and right shoulder disorders. The VA found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.,For the 1151 claim related to left knee and back disorders, the Board also denied the claim as there is insufficient medical evidence showing that the veteran's current disabilities resulted from VA treatment.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for his neck, left shoulder, and low back disabilities have been denied. The highest rating available under the applicable VA regulations is 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding that there is no current disability of either condition. The examiner did not address whether any aggravation of these conditions by service-connected disabilities occurred.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including proper notification and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for left shoulder disability, but remanded the issue of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's current left shoulder disorder is likely related to his service-connected right arm amputation.