Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, following a total right shoulder replacement, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 60 percent assigned. The service connection claim for a separate right arm disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right arm and shoulder, PTSD, schizophrenia, a low back disorder, a left knee disorder, a hip disorder, and a right foot disorder. The decision is final as it pertains to the issues of service connection for schizophrenia and the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current right and left shoulder disabilities to his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and sinus disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hand disorder, left shoulder impingement, skin rash, diabetes mellitus, sarcoma, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder injury, documented in service and continuing after separation, qualifies for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depression, schizophrenia, agoraphobia, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the low back, right arm pain (major), left arm pain, and left shoulder pain. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 40 percent rating, which is the next higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck and shoulder conditions are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of any injury or disease during service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability since service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders.

The Board has granted increased ratings for varicose veins, left leg; plantar fasciitis, left with Achilles tendonitis; and right shoulder impingement syndrome, major. The veteran's conditions are currently rated at the 10% level.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability and depression are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between his diabetes mellitus and these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and shoulder disorders have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The veteran's left shoulder disability, rated at the maximum level of 100 percent since April 2005, is granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, residuals of right thumb injury including scar, and depression, were not incurred or aggravated during military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney stones, residuals of an injury of the eye, and left shoulder disorder. The veteran is not shown to have a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left shoulder or left foot and ankle disorder due to service, and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The left ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the arthritis of the left elbow, do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The right shoulder condition is also rated at its maximum allowable level.