Shoulder decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome prior to March 6, 2002 were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for the same condition from March 6, 2002 onwards was also denied.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for neurologic disability due to measles, left shoulder disability, and hypothyroid disability as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, finding that the evidence did not show disability comparable to a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that service connection for the claimed disabilities is not warranted.

The Board has determined that there is equipoise of evidence regarding whether the veteran's current left shoulder and neck muscle strain is related to service. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability and increased rating for left knee arthritis, finding that his current disabilities did not begin during service or as a result of service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his left foot disability is currently rated as 10 percent.

The veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with clavicular sparring and right hand paresthesia have been granted service connection, but the rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome is denied. The veteran was assigned a 20 percent initial rating for his right shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder, upper back, or low back disability related to active duty service. The claims for sinusitis and right groin disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of current conditions. The claim for bilateral foot disability is denied due to lack of proof of present disability.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability or cervical spine disorder incurred during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left shoulder disability could not be decided due to the failure to appear for a VA examination, resulting in denial.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for pseudo-gout arthritis of both shoulders or chronic low back disability to include as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's right ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were limited, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of his appeal. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The veteran's hearing loss and hepatitis C are found to be service-connected. The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder and shoulder injury claim is pending further development.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right arm/elbow, right leg, and right hip disabilities are denied. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities were established prior to service and are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection is granted for the skin disability and right knee disability as they were established prior to service. Hypertension was not present during service or within one year of separation.

The Board found that a back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of a left shoulder injury do not warrant an increased rating prior to July 2004 or since July 2004, as his disability does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on unfavorable ankylosis or fibrous union of the humerus.