Shoulder decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and patellofemoral pain of the left knee were denied as there was no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder bursitis, back pain, chest pain and a left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder as there is no evidence of any left shoulder injury or chronic left shoulder condition during active service, and the most probative medical opinion weighs against a relationship between the current condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic sinusitis and rhinitis, and hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and arthritis of the feet, but denied service connection for a disorder of the left arm or shoulder.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, described as a left shoulder and rhomboid muscle strain.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, generalized joint pain, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of spinal cord, left hip, bilateral knee, right shoulder, right elbow, and left ankle injuries as there was no competent medical evidence indicating that these conditions were causally or etiologically related to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's left shoulder disability, rated as 20 percent disabling, was denied a higher rating due to the limitation of motion not meeting criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, a right thumb disability, and a compensable rating for laceration of the right shoulder.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied, but a separate 10 percent rating was granted for the scar of the right shoulder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition and right shoulder disability has been granted, while the left shoulder claim is reopened but requires further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the claim. The claims for increased ratings for Reiter's syndrome of both shoulders were denied.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for a left shoulder disability, and service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, and the initial rating for migraine headaches was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for any of the conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, peripheral radiculopathy of the left leg (claimed as a left hip disorder), an initial compensable rating for a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for residuals, fracture of right maxilla involving temporomandibular articulation.

The veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability.

The veteran's hypertension and left shoulder disability were denied higher ratings as the blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating, and there was no significant limitation of motion in the left shoulder to warrant a higher rating.