Shoulder decisions — 2009

The April 2009 rating decision upheld the reduction of the Veteran's right shoulder disability evaluation from 50 percent to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2006. The Board found that the proposed reduction was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his arthritis of the knees and right shoulder disorder are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder, right shoulder tendinitis, right arm radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, pes planus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bowel incontinence, headaches, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for myositis of the right shoulder was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that they warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right hand is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence supports a claim of service connection. The disability is diagnosed as bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis and scapulocostal syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder disability was denied by the Board. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent is assigned based on limitation of motion, but no higher ratings are available under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder and right knee disabilities were denied. The increased rating claims for cervical spine, left clavicle, and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was not aggravated by service, and his initial rating for migraine headaches prior to April 27, 2007 is denied. However, beginning in April 27, 2007, a higher rating of 30 percent is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of the left shoulder and cervical/thoracic spines. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted effective dates of April 20, 2004 for a 10 percent evaluation for right shoulder dislocation and postoperative status, L5-S1 laminectomy and discectomy.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any of the disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disability has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective December 12, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine strain was properly rated at 10 percent, but not higher. Claims for right arm, shoulder, and head/neck disabilities were also denied as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine strain.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine and left shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of such conditions during active service or related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and left shoulder scapula thoracic bursitis with SLAP repair have been granted service connection. The Veteran's residuals of pneumonia claim is denied, but his initial disability rating for the shoulder condition has been increased to 10 percent.