Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities were denied. For the period prior to December 8, 2009, he was granted a 10 percent evaluation for dislocation of the right shoulder post-operative. From December 8, 2009 forward, he was granted a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of service connection claim, and TDIU were denied. The right shoulder rotator cuff disability was found to not warrant an increase in the assigned rating. The carpal tunnel syndrome claim was reopened but further development is needed before it can be adjudicated on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left shoulder disability, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including examinations and consideration of presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illnesses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, left elbow disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than dysthymic disorder with anxiety) to include PTSD and depression have been granted. The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and irritable bowel syndrome to include as being due to chemical exposure prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his left shoulder and ulnar neuropathy disabilities, including whether separate ratings are warranted for other affected body parts.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a nasal disorder (sinusitis and deviated septum) have been denied as there is no current evidence of such disorders. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the acquisition of private medical records.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected asthma, effective from the date of this decision. The criteria for a higher 100 percent evaluation have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder injury with degenerative joint disease and impingement is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for Reiter's syndrome and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of in-service aggravation of the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder disability, and thus denied service connection.

The Board found that the September 1980 bicycle accident was due to the Veteran's willful misconduct, and thus denied service connection for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder tendonitis.

The Veteran's recurrent left shoulder subluxation is not manifested by minor arm motion limited to 25 degrees from the side, and therefore does not warrant a higher disability rating.