Shoulder decisions — 2009

The veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by pain, encapsulitis, and peripheral neuropathy, some limitation of motion, stiffness and muscle weakness with moderate affects to his daily and occupational functioning. The Board grants a 30 percent rating for the residuals of a fragment wound to the left shoulder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and increased ratings for his right knee internal derangement with limited motion and instability were denied.

The veteran did not meet the requirements for TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) until July 13, 2004, and as such, an earlier effective date is denied; however, the claim should be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The veteran's right and left hip, low back, and right shoulder disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings. Bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and he is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthralgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, a right ankle disorder, and migraine headaches as they were not shown to be related to the appellant's active military service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for remote right clavicle fracture with impingement syndrome, right shoulder were denied.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities are being remanded to schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for liver, shoulder, thoracic spondylitic changes and left knee disorders as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty or her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands, knees, and right hip, but granted it for the right shoulder. The veteran's sarcoidosis was rated as 30 percent disabling, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for GERD, finding no evidence of chronic disability or considerable impairment due to the veteran's conditions.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for right knee instability, left knee arthritis, and neck injury. The veteran's claims for a higher rating for the left great toe disability were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypotension (claimed as vertigo), a low back disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claim for psoriasis was granted.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the bilateral hands, left knee, and left shoulder as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disability, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's active service.

The appeal is remanded for further development of the evidence.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private treatment records from Beaver Medical Clinic and any orthopedic specialist.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for post-operative residuals of left shoulder dislocation with arthritis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of an inservice injury or disease and a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation, an ear canal infection, and a right ankle fracture. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fractured right iliac crest and femur and right heel plantar spur were also denied.