Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnosis.,The claim for compensation for a right hip and buttock disorder as the result of treatment at a VA medical facility pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because there is no evidence showing that the veteran's current condition is related to the treatment received.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that there were no exceptional factors taking the veteran outside the norm of the rating schedule.

The VA determined that the veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Lichen simplex chronicus of the scrotal area, residuals of right shoulder injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any inservice incidents.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability, and no separate evaluations were warranted for neurological manifestations or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis and/or bursitis of multiple joints involving the upper legs, hands, and shoulders as there was no evidence of a current disability. The prostate disorder was also denied as it is not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for labral tear of the left shoulder beginning January 26, 2005. The veteran's left shoulder disorder was previously rated as noncompensable from May 1, 2001 to April 7, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the right shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep disorder, right shoulder and ankle degenerative joint disease are not related to active service. The claim for right knee degenerative joint disease is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and left shoulder radiculitis. The remaining issues are pending further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes recurrent dislocations with traumatic arthritis and partial fibrous ankylosis, warrants a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no finding of unfavorable ankylosis or nonunion of the humerus.

The Board denied an effective date prior to February 25, 1999 for the TDIU rating because it was not factually ascertainable that the veteran was individually unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities within one year of the assigned effective date.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his cause of death (sepsis) was not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left neck condition, left shoulder and arm condition, removal of the ovaries, cystitis, and hypothyroidism. The issues related to these conditions were all found to be without merit.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin cancer, pain and numbness of the right knee and great toe, pain and numbness of the left leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim was decided on the merits without any presumption based on Agent Orange exposure or other specific service connection theories.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and her right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent. The veteran's psoriasis has been granted with a rating of 30 percent effective May 23, 2003.

The case is being remanded for VCAA notice and to re-adjudicate the service connection claims, as they are inextricably intertwined with the DEA eligibility claim.