Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disability and 20 percent for his left clavicle disability. The claim to reopen a service connection claim for a back/neck disorder was also denied.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various psychiatric, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The veteran's service records are silent on these issues, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of the claimed conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected post polio syndrome and any related conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound residuals, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a rotator cuff tear with severe impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected right wrist fracture. The VA has ordered additional development due to missing treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 30 percent disability rating, but found that a 20 percent rating was warranted from July 1997 to August 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C, finding that the veteran was exposed to bodily fluids while serving as a medic and thus at risk for contracting hepatitis C. The left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence of a link between the veteran's parachute jumps during active duty and his current shoulder or knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various conditions, including a head injury laceration scar, left ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, dehydration, hepatitis B exposure, heart condition, hypertension, chronic respiratory disorder, sinusitis, and post-operative deviated nasal septum.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's left shoulder disability is related to service, and then to adjudicate the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine was rated at 40 percent, while the residuals of a right knee injury, status post arthroscopic surgery, were rated at 10 percent. Service connection for the rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder was also denied.

The veteran's appeal for left hallux valgus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development of his right shoulder and hepatitis C claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as strain, had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder, low back, and cervical spine disabilities are likely related to injuries sustained during his period of active service.

The veteran's toxoplasmosis productive of vision impairment is rated at 40 percent, and the claims for acne, prostatitis, hearing loss, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right hip strain, depression, and insomnia are all granted.

The veteran's right thumb disorder is now rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 5, 2006. The other claims are denied.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability does not warrant a compensable rating. The left shoulder tendonitis is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examinations.