Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his left rib arthritis and its potential effects on his shoulder condition and low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service and VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the VA examination that includes a medical opinion on aggravation.

The Veteran's pre-existing right shoulder condition, consisting of recurrent dislocations with surgical repair, was aggravated by service resulting in capsular laxity. The Board found that the positive apprehensive sign for laxity found on examination was due to military training and more likely than not caused a strain of the capsular structures of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, left ankle fracture, and degenerative joint disease of the left hip have been denied. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a left shoulder disability or radiculopathy to the arm, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board denied all three issues of service connection, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disorder were not related to his military service. The Board also found that any hallux valgus and metatarsus primus varus and left ankle sprain as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability was not established.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability with shoulder blade pain and shakiness of knees, and urinary/kidney stone disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and back disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability. However, the claims for right and left shoulder disabilities remain denied as there is no competent medical evidence of separate and distinct chronic right and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The evidence is sufficient to establish that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability may be related to his in-service injury, and thus he is entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the back, shoulders, hands, and knees is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right ear hearing loss claim, and that left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation. Service connection was also denied for bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, respiratory disability, neurological disability of lower extremities, sarcoma, bladder condition, enlarged prostate, diverticulitis, and psychiatric disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the residuals of surgery of the right fifth toe and has granted a 20% evaluation for the left shoulder disability prior to September 27, 2002. The appellant's request for higher evaluations is denied.

The Veteran's chronic cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities, including a myofascial syndrome of the trapezius, rhomboid, paracervical, and deltoid muscles, were found to have originated during active service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, but denied them on the merits. The right shoulder and wrist conditions were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence presented.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.