Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tail bone, left ear, right hip with nerve impingement, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for subacute bursitis of the left shoulder, a right ankle/lateral ligamentous sprain, and facial herpes on the right side of the mouth.,However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including right leg disability, residuals of a right Achilles tendon injury, right shoulder disability, and back disability, were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disorder, neck and shoulder disorders, and right arm disorder due to lack of evidence of a separate and distinct condition from the veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending, as is his request for a higher initial rating for his right hip disability.

The veteran is seeking an initial, non-compensable disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations to determine the current extent and severity of his disability.

The Board found no left shoulder disability existed prior to service and denied service connection for a left shoulder disability incurred during active duty. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition did not permanently increase in severity during active military service, thus denying service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including myelitis and paralysis of lower extremities, have necessitated a higher level of care than what is required for the regular aid and attendance allowance. The veteran requires daily personal health-care services provided by a licensed professional or under their supervision.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability in service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities associated with the veteran's claimed scars and denied all service connection claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his active military service or a pre-existing condition, and there is no evidence of arthritis within one year following discharge from service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury, as well as for residuals of right knee and shoulder injuries. The evidence does not support the presence of chronic disabilities related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The claim for increased rating for right shoulder disability was denied as there was no additional loss of abduction beyond what was already reflected in the current 20% evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, adhesive capsulitis of both shoulders, and diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities. The veteran appealed for higher initial ratings for these conditions, but the Board found no basis to grant any rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and right shoulder disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link it to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide proper VCAA notice, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for impairment of the left shoulder was proper based on significant improvement in the veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current disability involving the claimed manifestations of joint pain, muscle pain, eye disability (residual conjunctivitis), fatigue, sleep disturbance, or headaches. Therefore, service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence, which does not show ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that the current 30 percent evaluation is the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5201 based on limitation of motion.