Shoulder decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of an in-service shoulder injury or arthritis, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wound to the left shoulder with retained metallic bodies (minor) and assigned a noncompensable evaluation from February 4, 1969. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder, right hip, and left knee disorders based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder bursitis and synovitis warrants a disability evaluation of 20 percent, effective February 1, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence, as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment history and Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records from his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new examination to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected status post left shoulder labral tear and rotator cuff tear warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, effective October 22, 2003.

The Board has granted the veteran's service connection for a right foot disability. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities, as well as an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, finding no in-service event and insufficient evidence of continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral foot, upper back (thoracic spine), or visual disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, shoulder and arm disability, depression, COPD, and TDIU. The new evidence submitted did not support reopening of the claim for cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for bronchial asthma, effective from the date of the decision. The other claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims on appeal, including appointing a new representative and obtaining SSA award letter and related evidence. A VA genitourinary and psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right and left shoulder disabilities, right and left knee disabilities as secondary to shoulder and back conditions, and a back disability as secondary to a shoulder condition due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or in-service events/injuries related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side or incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder and left elbow disorders originated in active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, migraines, hypertension, eye disorders, neuropathy, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint disorder, and hyperlipidemia, all allegedly due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's PTSD claim was granted with a 30% rating effective February 2, 2004.