Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, right and left knee disabilities, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's reported stressor was found not to have occurred, her current knee and shoulder disabilities were not linked to service, and her immersion syndrome in service is considered the earliest manifestation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, status post-dislocation is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO denied an increased rating as there was no limitation to shoulder level.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis and lymphedema have been granted service connection. However, the Board has determined that these conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation for loss of use of an upper extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability was denied. The RO assigned a temporary total rating from February 12, 2004 to March 31, 2005 and then a permanent 60 percent evaluation effective April 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for joint pain of the hips, low back, ankles, shoulder, and neck.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and a bilateral knee disability were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder SFW residuals did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they were only indicative of moderate impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement and right elbow disorder are related to his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his military service and therefore, denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and a hearing loss condition, did not render him unemployable prior to May 5, 2005. The Board found that the disability alone was not severe enough to prevent substantial gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for bilateral tinnitus and denied the claim. For bursitis in the left shoulder, the Board noted that while there was some history of treatment during service, the first documented complaint occurred years after discharge, and the VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely due to noise exposure in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and cardiovascular condition, as well as his claim for TDIU. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the available schedular evaluation was adequate and no additional evidence supported a higher rating.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected residuals of post-operative left shoulder rotator cuff tear and to determine whether a pre-existing right shoulder disability was aggravated during active service.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and chest, left upper thigh, and abdomen. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions in June 1969.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, are considered in determining whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.