Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in needing regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive arthritis/synovitis affecting multiple joints and astigmatism due to medication secondary to reactive arthritis/synovitis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, effective from January 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his right and left shoulder disabilities have been granted, but the claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no current diagnosis of polymyalgia, CFS, or any other claimed conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease are not related to his service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,Similarly, the Veteran's chronic right trapezial strain with related cervical strain superimposed on degenerative joint disease is not related to his service, nor is it secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent as of March 29, 2007. The Veteran was granted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after the requested information is obtained.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury has resulted in a current disability rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under the applicable rating criteria. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's right shoulder motion was limited to 40 degrees forward flexion and 70 degrees abduction, consistent with a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals from left shoulder surgery is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his SSA disability benefits and medical records.

The Veteran is over the age of 65 and has a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral Achilles tendonitis, recurrent patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not meet the required percentage threshold. The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right femur fracture did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by his service. The other claimed conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's initial service connection for left shoulder dislocation and knee condition was granted, with a noncompensable rating initially assigned. The RO later increased the disability rating to 10 percent effective February 15, 2007.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for vascular tension headaches was denied prior to February 11, 2004. The Veteran's intermittent explosive disorder is not entitled to an increased evaluation.

The Veteran argues that the October 1994 rating decision incorrectly evaluated evidence and should have granted service connection for right shoulder disability and back disability based on their secondary relationship to a previously service-connected condition.