Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The claim will be readjudicated after the development.

The veteran's right shoulder disorder is rated at 10% due to arthritis and painful motion. Service connection for facial acne, bipolar disorder (claimed as major depression), and gastritis are all granted.

The Board denied service connection for shoulder and leg disabilities, but granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities. The issue of increased rating for the cervical spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current spinal and joint conditions are not related to his service, including a motorcycle accident in service. Service connection was denied for all claimed disabilities.

The veteran's right shoulder condition was granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from February 27, 2008. The ratings for the ganglion cysts of his wrists remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's death was caused by liver failure, which is service-connected.,Accrued benefits were granted for the esophageal tear and right shoulder disorder as secondary to service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the shoulders and arms as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 20, 2004 for his TDIU award. The effective date was fixed based on when he filed his informal claim for TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple arthralgia of the knees, shoulders, ankles and back are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. An additional VA examination is needed to assess current disability levels.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arm, shoulder, neck, back, and foot conditions due to residuals of cold injury as well as his claim for service connection for pes planus. The evidence does not support a finding of any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's right shoulder calcific bursitis is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral chondromalacia patella is rated as noncompensably disabling. The veteran also received separate compensable evaluations for the left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, hearing loss, and left shoulder disability are all related to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, and his left foot first metatarsal bone spur is evaluated at the maximum 10 percent rate. Both conditions are currently rated under a direct service connection theory.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records related to a December 2004 work-related shoulder injury and securing releases for any Workman's Compensation or insurance settlements. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for medical examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his right shoulder injury is pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal for right ankle disability. The veteran's claim of respiratory disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability during service or at present.