Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 30 percent rating and an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chest tumor with blood spots, abdomen and left shoulder tumors, neuralgia, pancreas disability, persistent cough, severe joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, actinic keratosis and skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, memory disability, liver disability and possible cirrhosis, urinary disability, prostate disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability with sciatica.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that he currently had these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for resection of the distal clavicle and repair of the rotator cuff of the left shoulder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to an injury or event during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right shoulder disability were reopened but ultimately denied.

The veteran's initial compensable disability rating for persistent internal derangement of the left ankle was denied as there was no moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's initial evaluation for left shoulder strain was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden, and he is not confined to his home by the service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a dislocated right shoulder, finding no credible evidence linking his current right shoulder disabilities to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and headache disorder were reopened, but denied. The other claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, neck and spinal cord disorder with muscle spasms, and right leg disorder were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder as there was no evidence of an injury, complaints, or disability in service and the first post-service reference to any symptomatology affecting the left shoulder is recorded 11 years after discharge from active duty.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability to his service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumptive period, and no competent medical evidence linking the current conditions to his active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder and left knee disability as there was no evidence that the veteran's claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and left shoulder disorder to obtain outstanding medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's right shoulder and neck disabilities were not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is primarily characterized by chronic pain, and a rating of 20 percent is warranted under the criteria for limitation of motion at the shoulder level.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that the criteria were not met for a rating greater than 20 percent prior to November 29, 2005, and greater than 30 percent beginning April 1, 2006.