Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from the veteran's treatment at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right shoulder, neck, or back injuries and these conditions were not incurred in service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for Lyme disease, joint pains of the hands, wrists, elbows, right shoulder, and weakness of the legs. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for arthritis or other disability of the back, right hip, knees, and right shoulder. The veteran's current diagnoses do not support a finding that she currently suffers from these conditions. Service connection was granted for tinnitus incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for a lung condition manifested by shortness of breath, as due to an undiagnosed illness. The other claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder strain, sinus infection, headaches, low back disorder, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, as it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty and is unrelated to a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for a higher initial rating of 10% for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not show limitation to shoulder level and considering functional impairment due to pain. The preponderance of the evidence is against granting an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The veteran's right shoulder and neck conditions are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed IBS and right shoulder disability did not have a current diagnosis, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. For cervical strain, the Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability associated with the veteran's claimed left elbow, shoulder, and wrist injuries. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for muscle strain of the left shoulder (pectoralis major), to include a claim for torn muscles. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities (knee, ankle, shoulder, hand, or back) incurred in service and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability does not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, symptomatic flat feet, and degenerative arthritis in his feet. The evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.,The current ratings of 20%, 10%, and 10% for the respective conditions are maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for degenerative disc and joint disease at L4-5 was granted with an initial rating of 40 percent but not more due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and left deltoid atrophy, as well as his claim for TDIU. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA rating criteria.