Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of post-traumatic cornica, and his left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence is against finding a nexus between these conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current right shoulder disability including a labral tear and subacromial bursitis that was due to disease or injury incurred in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board increased the rating for the veteran's low back disability from 10 to 30 percent, and granted a separate 10 percent rating for associated L5-S1 right radiculopathy. The right shoulder disability claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of VA medical records and VCAA notification issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes acromioclavicular joint separation and a history of left shoulder injury, does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied for the right shoulder and ulnar nerve disabilities, but granted for the radial nerve disability. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the left shoulder, right elbow, low back, or hearing loss that are related to service. Additionally, there is no evidence of pes planus in either foot meeting criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder pain with associated upper thoracic pain was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his claim of residuals of an injury to the right second rib is denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disorder and assigned a 10 percent rating from August 17, 2004. The claimant is seeking an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's right shoulder disability effective from May 26, 2005.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability and has also granted TDIU based on his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis, impairment of the humerus, or limitation of arm motion to shoulder level.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for PTSD, as well as secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, will also be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his in-service cold exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including from the VA hospitals in New Orleans and Washington D.C., as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic stomach condition, chronic neck pain with right shoulder numbness, and a right arm condition. The veteran's stomach condition was granted as it was incurred during active military service. Service connection for the neck and right shoulder conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service. Service connection for the right arm condition was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his conditions are manageable with assistance from family members.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board once this is done.