Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder pain are as likely as not a result of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder strain. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including providing the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any right shoulder condition found to be present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right arm or hand disability that is attributable to military service, or was caused or made worse by service-connected disability. The Veteran's stomach disorder and sinusitis are also not found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was granted, with a 30 percent disability rating effective April 19, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a chronic bilateral shoulder disability during service and there is no current evidence of such disability. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not secondary to his service-connected right arm injury and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5201 and 5203. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation or fibrous union, nonunion (false flail joint) or loss of head (flail joint) of the humerus.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell's palsy as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The combined evaluation of his service-connected disabilities is currently at 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because an additional opinion is needed regarding the cumulative effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, and status post rotator cuff repair of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder has been granted a 60 percent evaluation, effective from August 1, 2004. The low back disorder is rated at 40 percent since November 26, 2008. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease and right shoulder conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or any cold injuries during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, with radiculopathy in both shoulders, is currently rated at 40 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders were not related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and left shoulder disability to the RO/AMC for additional development.