Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated, and the appeal is denied as there are no new or material issues to reopen. The current evaluations for each condition remain unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gouty arthritis of both feet and dislocation of the right shoulder, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis is rated at 20 percent, effective January 13, 2003.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right ankle disability, right shoulder disability, or bilateral hearing loss that is related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, as well as claims for non-service-connected death pension benefits and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The Board also denied claims for increased evaluations in excess of 30 percent for residuals of gunshot wounds to the left shoulder involving Muscle Groups I, II, and IV, and for a separate compensable rating for left shoulder traumatic arthritis. Additionally, the claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for C-5 radiculopathy was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is etiologically related to an in-service injury, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current left shoulder disability is causally related to an in-service left shoulder injury, and thus service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder was rated at 30 percent effective August 3, 2006. The rating is based on limitation of motion to 100 degrees flexion and 90 degrees abduction from the side.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder and right shoulder tendonitis were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability required a temporary total rating for convalescence from July 18, 2005 to October 11, 2005. The Board has determined that the extension of this rating through October 2005 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that his right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and acid reflux disease are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was granted, with a 20 percent disability rating assigned. A separate 10 percent disability rating was also granted for neurological symptoms associated with the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD is remanded due to a lack of timely substantive appeal. The cases related to lumbar spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder and granted it, based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone would cause him to be unemployable. The appeal is now pending again with the AMC/RO.

The Veteran's current residuals of a left shoulder injury are related to his period of active military service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the appellant's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, elbow and arm to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.