Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. He requested rescheduling due to health issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right ankle, right shoulder, and fracture of the right 5th metatarsal disorders. The claims are also being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, with radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disability, bilateral hand disabilities, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders and cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an eye disability, both claimed as secondary to a head injury. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome with extensor tendonitis (claimed as right wrist disability), muscle deterioration with pain and aches, bilateral foot disability, tinea pedis, bilateral shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis, sinus problems and sinusitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach ulcer was denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current stomach ulcer and that his symptoms were likely related to his service-connected orthopedic conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and personnel files.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed lower back disorder, left foot disability, left bicep scar, and left shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a vision disorder. For his low back and right shoulder disorders, there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disability related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and herniated disc in lumbar spine are not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon polyps, PTSD, and right shoulder wound with rotator cuff tendonitis was denied. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, arthritis and muscle injury of the back, and left shoulder disability are not related to service. The retained shrapnel in his lower back is presumed due to combat exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of recurrent right shoulder dislocations, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of an injury to his left hip, lower back, shoulder, arm, and leg is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found the current 20% evaluation for post-operative residuals of a left shoulder injury is appropriate based on the clinical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his unemployability during the course of this appeal was due to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and chronic dislocation of the left shoulder.