Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a rotator cuff tear, right shoulder as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound. The VA will schedule an examination and provide a medical opinion regarding whether the current condition is related to his service-connected injury.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current back disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee scar due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or musculoskeletal disorders during service, and the VA examiner's opinions did not support a link between current conditions and service. The veteran's complaints are attributed to aging rather than service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were not adjudicated before his death, and the RO denied them. The veteran was service connected for a right upper extremity disability with a current rating of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the service-connected PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of the veteran's death. The VA and private medical records do not show a causal link between the veteran's PTSD and his cardiovascular disease, which was found to be caused by other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.

The Board granted a higher initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative joint disease from January 17, 2001 to November 6, 2005. From November 7, 2005, the rating was increased to 30 percent. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions was denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a stomach disorder has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for low back, left shoulder, and right hip disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability, and thus service connection is denied. The issues of an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and residuals of a right meniscus tear and repair are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and left shoulder subacromial bursitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound of the right shoulder. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the VA examiner found no current symptoms consistent with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The veteran's gunshot wound residuals to the left shoulder are rated as noncompensable, while his malaria is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's right shoulder condition, specifically whether it is related to service. The RO must obtain additional medical opinions and ensure all relevant records are obtained.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various joint conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining personnel records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and other issues. The claimant's right shoulder and left knee disorders are under review, but a definitive decision cannot be made without further evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable disability rating for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left chest. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.