Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist injuries and a bilateral shoulder disability, but did not address the merits of these claims. The appeal was remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, limitation of motion of the lumbar spine with pain, hemorrhoids, and hypertension were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for recurrent headaches and a right shoulder disorder as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and increased ratings for the low back disorder, right knee disorder, right wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximate abduction limited to shoulder level with pain based on functional use, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities were evaluated, but neither condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and headaches were denied, while the claim for a higher rating for his neck disability was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, right and left inguinal hernia scars, and residuals of left hand third and fourth metacarpal fractures. The claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a left orchiectomy with erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the back, elbows, and shoulders as it was not shown to be due to any incident or event in active service, nor can it be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, as the evidence supports a finding of recurrent dislocation and ligament laxity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, bilateral shoulder disorders and COPD are being remanded for additional medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the left hip, right hip, right shoulder, and left shoulder based on evidence supporting a link to the veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for chronic right shoulder pain, resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor based on continuity of symptomatology and supportive lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, an eye disorder with headaches, a right shoulder disorder, coronary artery disease, and bilateral elbow disorders as there was no evidence of current disability or that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder was remanded for further development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a left shoulder disorder, and a left elbow disorder as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's GERD has been aggravated by treatment for his service connected right rotator cuff impingement syndrome.