Shoulder decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's left shoulder and arm disability with associated neuropathy does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder to his service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnosed disabilities for his bilateral thumb condition, neck condition, or right shoulder condition. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder shell fragment wound does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder bursitis and denied service connection for navel pain disorder, muscle twitching, bilateral calcaneal spurs, and dermatophytosis. The veteran's claims for left ankle disorder, generalized weakness, and back strain are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the assignment of initial evaluations for service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service medical records and considering all additional evidence added to the record since the December 2006 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment, but granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran's current right shoulder degenerative joint disease is not related to any injury incurred during active duty or ACDUTRA, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted a higher 30 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from September 19, 2003. The highest possible schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5201 is now in effect.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the RO has granted an increased rating for her service-connected right hip pain. The issue of service connection for right shoulder pain remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's bilateral knee, left shoulder, and low back disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, back, and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development of VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), a back condition, a right wrist disorder, a right ankle disorder, a right knee disorder, or a right shoulder disorder as a result of his service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder was not present in service or manifested for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to service or to a service-connected disability. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder has been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a broken right leg. The veteran's claims regarding muscle weakness with pain of the knees, legs and arms, as well as osteoarthritis and rotator cuff problems of the shoulders are being remanded to allow for further examination and development.