Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and left thigh scar, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's combined disability evaluation of 40 percent does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU entitlement, as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left thumb scar, residuals of cuts on his forearm, shoulder and chest, and PTSD are all service-connected. The scars were incurred during service due to injuries sustained while using a knife or in an attack by another individual. The PTSD is linked to a traumatic event during service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left foot, low back disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a fractured head of the left radius (elbow), chronic left shoulder strain, DJD of the cervical spine C5, C6, C7, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and failure to obtain all relevant post-service treatment records.

The veteran's initial evaluations for shrapnel wounds of the left arm and right shoulder were denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity or retained shrapnel fragments, respectively.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder and hand disability, finding that the range of motion is limited to shoulder level. The veteran's right hand injury does not warrant separate evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee, shoulder, and skin conditions were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral shoulder, hand, or wrist disorders and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which he is seeking service connection. The evidence does not support a finding of any relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected right shoulder impingement and lumbosacral strain.,Both conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable evaluations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right knee, low back, or right shoulder disability and thus the veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have malaria and arthritis of the right hand, shoulder, spine, and leg is not shown to be caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the knees, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, finding that his current symptoms were more likely due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder myositis and fibromyalgia, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for postoperative residuals of recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, multilevel degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and a full thickness supraspinatus tear of the left shoulder were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.