Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 30 percent for both Muscle Group II and Muscle Group III since August 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left ankle, and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's pes planus is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and calluses. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder tendonitis, as he testified that his disability had increased in severity since the last evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a compensable disability rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, a left shoulder disorder, and a low back disorder. The VA medical examination did not find any chronic conditions related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds that the additional disability was not proximately caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, prior to April 6, 2006, was manifested by arthritis and limited motion. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for this period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a service-connected left shoulder disability was denied as his current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of a right knee disorder, a sleep disorder, and a right shoulder injury due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or aggravation during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the May 1961 decision. The Veteran presented additional evidence indicating he has a current right shoulder disability but this was not linked to his service or service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic disability of the left shoulder or low back, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and lower extremity disorders are not related to his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right groin strain was withdrawn.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a headache disorder remains open on appeal, as the July 1988 rating decision denying such is not final.,Diabetes mellitus was incurred in active service and is service-connected.,Asthma was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,TMJ dysfunction was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,The right shoulder disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may the incurrence of arthritis during such service be presumed.,Erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus).,PTSD and major depressive disorder were incurred in active service and are service-connected.,Dry throat was not caused by active service, as there is no underlying diagnosed disorder residual to tonsillectomy.,A bilateral elbow disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,A rib joint disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,The torn right latissimus dorsi muscle was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,Arthritis of the hands was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and the incurrence or aggravation of arthritis during such service may not be presumed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities of the right and left ankles have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability has also been granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent effective from January 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder impingement were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability, skin disorder, and enlarged prostate as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.