Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a direct or secondary theory of entitlement.

The veteran's left shoulder disability and arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent each, with no increase in rating granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the veteran's right shoulder condition did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as his disability did not involve limitation of motion or frequent episodes of recurrent dislocation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and right shoulder injury residuals were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions, and the claim for new and material evidence regarding cervical and low back injuries was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left shoulder or arm disability in service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided that the veteran does not have vasculitis other than Schamberg's capillaritis of the lower extremities, and his right shoulder adhesive capsulitis is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for Parkinson's disease require further development.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from a failed shoulder surgery at the VA, and the Board has determined that further medical examination is needed to determine if the care was negligent or unforeseeable.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to changes in rating criteria and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence, including VA treatment records from April 2001 to July 2005. The veteran was not provided with a waiver of AOJ review prior to appellate review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities. The petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for neck and bilateral knee conditions have been granted, allowing de novo reconsideration of these claims on the merits.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's right shoulder injury with retained foreign body, finding that it is manifested by a very small scar and does not limit motion or cause other functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability and for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 7, 2001 for his TDIU award due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of chronic left knee, right shoulder, and left arm disabilities that were incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examinations did not find a link between current symptoms and service.

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 higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to deficiencies in the analysis provided in the April 2005 decision.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent prior to August 2, 2006 and 30 percent thereafter. The current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the limited range of motion.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of actinic keratosis. The veteran's right shoulder and low back disorders are service-connected, but the claim for actinic keratosis was denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a travel board hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, high cholesterol, and increased ratings for arthritis of the shoulder, knee, and ankle were denied. The RO found that these conditions are not related to service or military noise exposure.