Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for polyarthralgias. Additional development is needed to address claims for other conditions, including depressive disorder, shoulder disorders, stomach issues, prostate problems, and lumbar spine issues.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and elbow injuries, as well as his head injury with migraines. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, residuals of rib fractures, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for a higher rating for the right shoulder sprain was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and neck disabilities are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and granted it. The Veteran's complaints of shoulder pain since his August 1980 motor vehicle accident are considered in deciding this case.

The Board denied service connection for neck and shoulder injuries incurred in or aggravated by military service, finding that the evidence did not show any residual disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to her military duties.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right shoulder, and migraine headache disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service medical records and police reports related to the Veteran's motor vehicle accident. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the claim for service connection of the cause of his death under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome and internal derangement of the left shoulder with mild AC joint degenerative changes are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The low back disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, finding it etiologically related to active duty service. The other conditions remain unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, as there was no limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board determined that the appellant's left shoulder disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by military service, as they preexisted service. The Board found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and shoulder injury, finding no evidence of a link to active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder pain and degenerative changes are likely due to a rotator cuff injury sustained during service. The Board grants service connection for the residuals of a left rotator cuff injury with pain and degenerative changes.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and exposures, but the specific service connection decisions are pending as the case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.