Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder injury has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an upper back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability during service and the VA examiner's opinion was more probative than the Veteran's assertions. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in both hands and numbness of the bilateral arms and hands, were denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service. The Board found that any current disorders are not related to service or to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability, including arthritis, finding that there is no showing of a chronic condition during service and no evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for new examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which was manifested by pain and decreased range of motion but not to the shoulder level from August 27, 2004 until March 9, 2009, warranted a 20 percent rating. From March 9, 2009, his disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.,For the lumbar spine disability, a rating higher than 10 percent is not warranted due to limitation of motion. The combined range of motion exceeds 120 degrees, indicating no significant loss of function.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent and is productive of painful, limited motion.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left acromioclavicular (AC) joint due to its presumptive nature under VA regulations. The claims for other conditions are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 20, 2009.,The Veteran's service-connected right foot cold injury is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left thumb dislocation, right shoulder arthritis, right elbow epicondylitis, left elbow epicondylitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. The original decisions denying these claims are final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records related to his bilateral knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle disorders. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of both shoulders is not related to service, and it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability nor is it a result of herbicide exposure. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and hypertension with cardiomegaly are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation, but the case is being remanded due to a lack of recent examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic injury to his left wrist or right shoulder during service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's residuals of shrapnel wound to the left shoulder, which included a scar and pain, were rated as 20 percent disabling from February 4, 1969 to August 19, 1992.