Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a 30 percent rating for residuals of right shoulder dislocation, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were related to his active military service. The claim for an increased evaluation was denied as there was no evidence of frequent episodes or guarding of all arm movements.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board found no evidence of a current right shoulder or lumbar spine disorder that is related to service. The Veteran's disorders are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral ankle, or right knee disability that was incurred in service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also not considered to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's compensation benefits effective November [redacted], 2003, based on his conviction for a felony is proper.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left shoulder separation disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spinal strain, arthritis of the neck and shoulders, residuals of fractures of the left 7th-11th ribs, and rheumatoid arthritis. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims or establish service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for his right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of right shoulder dislocation and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is service-connected, with reasonable doubt favoring the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right shoulder condition as secondary to low back disability, and higher rating for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be unrelated to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate review after a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, with a current rating of 30 percent effective July 27, 2004. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection for left ankle strain remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left foot injury was denied as the pre-existing left foot fracture did not increase in severity during service. The claim for an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for a left shoulder disability is remanded due to a material change in the disability.