Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and assigned an initial 20 percent rating effective July 24, 2008. The Veteran's claims for tendinitis of the right wrist and low back disorder were also granted.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a left arm/shoulder disability as secondary to the residuals of a gunshot wound of the right upper extremity, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating or any rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2005 to September 12, 2006 and from September 13, 2006 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration due to inadequate analysis in the original decision.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death due to a stroke, which was the primary cause of death. The Board finds that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 2009. The claim for TDIU has been referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an increased evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right forearm and hand condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were due to his own willful misconduct. Service connection was granted for PTSD with an initial rating of 50 percent effective January 29, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating meets the threshold for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The claim for residuals of a CVA is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information regarding his military service dates. The appeal is now pending and will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disorder and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, finding that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral shoulder disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the available service records do not show any in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye pterygium, but denied service connection for residuals of right ankle injury and left shoulder disorder (impingement syndrome).

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right shoulder and upper arm disabilities are as likely as not related to his active service, including a 1954 injury. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence on whether any current arthritis or degenerative joint disease of the Veteran's shoulders, elbows, hands, knees, and ankles is proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records review, and reconsideration of his disability ratings under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities with service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), a bilateral foot disorder, and a left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for orthopedic and neurologic examinations, and re-adjudicating the claims.