Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a current right shoulder disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an effective date prior to May 13, 2003 for his left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic or recurring low back pain during service and concluded that the current low back disability is not related to military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent from February 27, 2003 to February 8, 2009.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder and arm disability. The Veteran's right leg shell fragment wound residuals are currently rated as slight, but the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that resulted in these conditions.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of low back and neck injuries, as well as his claim for prostate cancer. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence indicates that any such condition developed post-service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bursitis of the left shoulder and elbow were denied. His increased rating claims for right shoulder disability (bursitis) and right elbow disability (epicondylitis) were also denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disorder or thoracolumbar spine disorder and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there is no current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of residuals of left eye arterial thrombosis. Service connection and evaluations were granted for right shoulder and right foot disabilities, but the initial evaluations have been increased.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's aching joints and muscles, other than back and knees, are not service-connected due to lack of objective evidence supporting the claim. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current joint pain is related to active military service or events therein.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbar spine disability, service connection for non-calcified lesions in left lower lung, and service connection for left shoulder pain were denied. The claim for kidney stones was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right knee and lumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle sprain, arthritis of the right shoulder, body cramps, hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The appeals were dismissed due to lack of evidence or insufficient material.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be afforded VA examinations to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and denied service connection for this condition. The right knee issue is pending as remanded by the Board.