Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions had worsened to a degree warranting higher ratings.

The veteran's cervical strain and left shoulder tendinitis do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee problems, neck pain, shoulder injury, and back condition, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but denied service connection for osteoarthritis of both shoulders.

The Board denied service connection for Hodgkin's disease, fatigue, and joint pain as the conditions were not shown to be related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a right arm disability, and a low back disability as they were not related to the veteran's active duty or any service-connected condition. The claims for increased ratings for epicondylitis of the left elbow, pes cavus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus of the right foot, and Morton's neuroma with pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus of the left foot were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, left Achilles tendonitis, alopecia, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hearing loss of the left ear were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's right shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his period of active service. The left shoulder issue remains pending further development.

The claim for service connection for residuals of left shoulder dislocation was reopened, but an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for postoperative residuals of right shoulder reconstruction and cervical and trapezius strain associated with right shoulder reconstruction, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran was granted a disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder from January 11, 2006 to June 16, 2006. For the period from September 1, 2006, no higher rating is warranted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for meralgia paresthetica of the left lower extremity was granted, and a 10 percent disability rating was assigned. The claim for an increased rating for right shoulder crepitus with scapular tendonitis was remanded.

The appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability is being remanded to the Board of Veterans' Appeals for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as there was no competent evidence establishing an etiological link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated as 40 percent disabling from April 7, 2003, due to severe limitation of motion with pain. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was denied.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is not entitled to a rating higher than 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling of a videoconference hearing before a Member of the Board.

The Board denied service connection for cervical disorder, bilateral shoulder pain, polymyalgia, rheumatica, osteopenia, osteoporosis, large joint arthritis, and leukopenia as there was no evidence of a nexus to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and the shell fragment wound to muscle group VII, but found no service connection for a right shoulder injury or tumors.