Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral vision disorder, left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, left elbow disorder, and neck arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease and rotator cuff tendonosis did not begin in service or due to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome, thus denying service connection. The Board also denied increased ratings for his bilateral heel spurs as there was no evidence of a compensable degree of disability.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, pulmonary calcifications (claimed as tuberculosis), left shoulder bursitis, and arthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease, bilateral hip/knee/shoulder disabilities, and depression were not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, low back disability, and right shoulder disability as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or right shoulder condition during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current conditions are related to service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, neck and shoulder disorders, thoracic spine disorder, bowel incontinence, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a low back injury.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of definite impairment or incapacitating exacerbations.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, low back, and cervical spine disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability related to the veteran's parachute injury in service.

The Board has determined that there is a reasonable possibility that further evaluation will result in evidence to substantiate the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The claims for left shoulder disability and hepatitis C were also denied as there was no evidence showing they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from August 6, 2001. The veteran's service-connected disabilities include degenerative joint disease of the left knee and shoulders.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for pain of multiple joints, including the cervical spine, left shoulder, bilateral hips, left knee, and big toes, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiology attributable to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining VA spine and joints examinations to determine if any low back or shoulder disability is related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and scar, as well as service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective April 30, 2004. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Service connection was granted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.