Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder strain and service connection for a right shoulder disorder was granted. For the period prior to November 12, 2008, he received a noncompensable rating. Since then, his condition has warranted a 20 percent evaluation. The Veteran also received service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fevers, chilly feelings, dyssomnia, aching joints, and a skin condition have been denied as there is no objective evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating is not warranted.,For the period from May 4, 2001, through November 24, 2003, the Veteran's low back disability was evaluated at 10 percent for limitation of motion. From November 25, 2003, it has been rated as 20 percent due to additional functional loss.

The Veteran's right shoulder muscle injury has manifested in no more than moderate disability of Muscle Group II, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence. However, there is no current disability found in these conditions that warrants a compensable rating for his scar of the right hand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain, prostate cancer, and left shoulder disability were denied. The claim for GERD was granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 1, 2003.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board finds the June 2006 VA examination inadequate and remands the case for an additional examination to determine if the current right shoulder disorder is related to his knees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, headaches, and a scar of the head were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorder, including arthritis, is not related to his service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities with his service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a fractured right shoulder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date because it is a final decision and any further action would result in a collateral attack on previous decisions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is caused by his service-connected fibromyositis of the left trapezius and paravertebral muscle area, and therefore, he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and a right shoulder disability other than DJD. The Veteran's asbestosis is related to in-service asbestos exposure, while his right shoulder disability is linked to the in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant an evaluation greater than 30 percent, as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Veteran is therefore denied an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left shoulder disorders, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, circulatory disorder, and sleep disorder are all granted as they are found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability and a back disability. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim.

The Board found no current medical diagnosis of a left shoulder disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.