Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions, including arthritis of the cervical spine and hands/wrists, a right shoulder disorder, an eye disorder (including glaucoma), bilateral hearing loss, bronchiectasis, COPD with asthma, hypertension, stomach ulcers, liver sclerosis, GERD/hiatal hernia, prostate disorder, or any other condition. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a back, neck, and shoulder injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hydrocele. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder disability, including arthritis and tendon damage, was aggravated by active military service.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and bilateral elbow disorders, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine strain is being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5202.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, dental disorder, and an initial compensable evaluation for right wrist disorder. The remaining claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for HIV and skin disorder are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability. The claim for a residual disability due to renal calculi was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of hemorrhoids and right shoulder disability are denied as the earliest competent medical evidence of increased disability was in December 2002, which is after April 25, 2001.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of hemorrhoids and right shoulder disability are denied as the earliest competent medical evidence of increased disability was in December 2002, which is after April 25, 2001.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is granted.,Service connection for bursitis of the left hip and both shoulders is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete examination reports and failure to readjudicate both issues.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the service-connected right shoulder disability and a separate rating of 10 percent for the service-connected left knee disability. The initial rating for the service-connected right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of July 1, 2006. The earlier effective date request for July 29, 2004 is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and effective dates of June 19, 2006 were assigned. The appeals for earlier effective dates are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acid reflux disease, left shoulder condition/rotator cuff, lung problems/bronchial, neuropathy of feet/neuralgia, prostate condition, and sleep disorder were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.,There is no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury and a right shoulder disorder, finding no current disability related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected shoulder and hip disabilities were granted. The claim of service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knees, ankles, cervical spine, and left hip was denied. The claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for low back strain and arthritis of the thoracic spine. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is referred to the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and clarification of his service-connected left shoulder disability, including the presence of retained foreign bodies and bone involvement. The RO will consider additional Diagnostic Codes if appropriate.