Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, right shoulder disorder, left and right ankle disorders, left and right knee disorders, arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), hypertension, and a neurological disorder (headaches) have all been denied. The Board found that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable rating for muscle and/or nerve damage associated with the service-connected left (major) shoulder adhesive capsulitis has been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The claim for bilateral pes planus was not addressed as it had already been previously denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The claims for tinnitus and the other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The left shoulder disability issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which existed prior to service, was aggravated by in-service activities and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with VA's duties to notify and assist, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations for the left knee and shoulder disabilities as well as headaches.

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the appellant's failure to appear at a scheduled hearing.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service origin or association with service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck condition, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The claim for reopening of the neck condition was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her active duty service. The issue of a right knee strain was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease and some limitation of left arm motion but not limited to shoulder level, was found not to warrant a compensable rating. The VA examiner did not find the condition so exceptional or unusual that referral for extraschedular consideration was required.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal due to the RO's recent decision increasing her disability rating for her service-connected left shoulder disability from noncompensable to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any bilateral shoulder disability and the Board finds that service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. As such, the claim remains denied.