Shoulder decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the new evidence.

The veteran seeks service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, and back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating for his residuals of a simple fracture of the right, second metatarsal, and arthritis of the matatarso-phalangeal joint of the first metatarsal head. The Board found no medical evidence linking the current disorders to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities were first manifested many years after his discharge from active service and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to an event in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining SSA records. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's cervical spine disability from May 19, 2005. The right shoulder disability remains at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent from November 1, 1996 to February 1, 2005 and 30 percent on and after February 1, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his left shoulder disorder and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee conditions, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hypertension, right shoulder disability, or heart disease.

The veteran's claim for additional disability due to an EMG performed at a VA medical facility was denied as there is no evidence of physical injury resulting from the procedure.

The veteran's initial increased evaluation for his gunshot wound residuals involving Muscle Group III was denied, while he was granted service connection for the same condition. The veteran's initial evaluation for his impingement syndrome of the right shoulder associated with the gunshot wound remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for myopia and presbyopia with astigmatism, urinary tract infection, low back pain, bilateral shoulder condition, anemia, and eczema. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome and a 10% rating for eczema of the left lower leg.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to a disease onset within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the case to verify the veteran's service periods and schedule him for a VA examination to determine if his claimed conditions are related to his military service. The appellant will also be provided with VCAA notice.