Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied, as well as his claims for service connection for various disabilities secondary to the right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was remanded to schedule the veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite to both feet, residuals of shell fragment wound to the right leg, and a left shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service-connected left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, healed rotator cuff tear right shoulder with residuals of subacromial bursitis, and arthritis thoracolumbar spine (claimed as degenerative disc disease lumbar spine with left side radiculopathy) do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure as it did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and was not shown to be causally related to military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right shoulder, finding that the disability was manifested by no more than moderate muscle impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, degenerative arthritis of the hands, and degenerative arthritis of the shoulders as these conditions were not incurred in active service, to include as residuals of cold injury.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and denied claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a urinary disorder, and a speech disorder. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for fracture of the inferior and superior rami of the left pelvis.

The veteran's service-connected back disability is manifested by essentially full range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine with subjective complaints of pain; there is no competent evidence of incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc disease, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or a compensable neurological disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings for rectal fissure with hemorrhoids, right shoulder tendonitis, left wrist fracture residuals, and right ankle disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability as there was no competent evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a cutting injury to an unspecified finger, a right shoulder disorder, and a left shoulder disability. However, the claim for service connection for left shoulder injury residuals was reopened due to new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and military service or aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tendonitis of the right shoulder and hand, as these conditions are attributed to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder arthritis, and service connection for both his right ankle disorder and left ankle disorder. The decision found no current evidence of disability for either ankle.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, but denied an increased rating for right shoulder tendonitis.

The veteran's service connection claim for a scar of the right deltoid region was granted, while his claim for a disability of the right shoulder and arm (other than a scar in the right deltoid region) was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The case will be reviewed on the merits after these steps are completed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further development, including obtaining service records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and, therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.