Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence supporting the presence of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claim for service connection for a chronic left shoulder disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's reported history of neck injury with persistent and recurrent symptoms since service is not credible. As such, the claim for a neck disability on a direct basis or as proximately due to service-connected low back strain is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury was incurred as a result of an altercation with another resident in a VA domiciliary, not due to any direct action or inaction by the VA. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also addressed and considered.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and assistance of another person has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate. However, his mental competency status remains unclear.

The VA granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, but only assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that the disability did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's residuals of recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder were rated at 10 percent before September 26, 2007 and denied for higher ratings. The criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5201 or 5203 had not been met due to lack of evidence of deformity or guarding of movement.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment. The case will be returned to the Board after further development, including obtaining all relevant treatment records and scheduling an appropriate examination.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, forearm, and thumb disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and residuals of a head injury, but denied his claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition. The rating assigned is 10% for the lower back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's current right hand and shoulder disorders are related to his service-connected burn scar of the right forearm.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, originally denied in July 1986.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is attributable to service, but his left shoulder disorder (including arthritis) was not manifest during or within one year after service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for septic arthritis right shoulder, to include as secondary to his service-connected shrapnel wound right arm, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and social security disability records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder, back, left hip, bilateral ankle, right foot and right knee disorders are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for a right hip disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of service connection for a bilateral shoulder and arm disability, a low back disability, and a right knee disability.