Shoulder decisions — 2008

The VA has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of ankylosis or frequent recurrent episodes of dislocation. The current limitation of motion to shoulder level with pain, tenderness, degenerative joint disease, and crepitus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and right shoulder did not have its onset in service or within one year of service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, neck or cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches but denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and the initial evaluation of right shoulder impingement.

The Board previously denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further adjudication based on a need to verify the exact nature and severity of the disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed respiratory, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, or right shoulder disorders and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee arthritis and chondromalacia, and right shoulder disabilities are not supported by the evidence of record. The current evaluations assigned to these conditions adequately reflect their severity.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via video conference. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, including the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records and a more detailed examination of his spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a back disability, as well as his claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his shell fragment wound scar of the left shoulder. The decision also granted service connection for burn scars of the fingers but assigned a noncompensable disability evaluation.,The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and a back disability, as well as his claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his shell fragment wound scar of the left shoulder. The decision also granted service connection for burn scars of the fingers but assigned a noncompensable disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and left wrist disabilities were not incurred in service or related to any service-connected disability. The temporary total convalescent rating claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly assess the veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a spine disability and increase rating for residuals of an injury to the left side of the chest due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left hand, right hand, and right shoulder disorders have been denied. The RO previously denied these claims in May 1994 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for bronchitis, left testicle hydrocele, a left thigh disability, and left knee prepatellar bursitis have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by his representative. The claims for herpes simplex, residuals of a L5 fracture, and right shoulder bursitis are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically left shoulder disability, bilateral ankle disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection were granted, but the underlying claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing proper notice to the veteran.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and postoperative acromioclavicular separation of the left shoulder with degenerative changes, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.