Shoulder decisions — 2010

The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's current right shoulder degenerative joint disease is related to his active service, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and residuals of fractures of the ribs. The Veteran's current right shoulder disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, but there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or reported symptoms related to eczema of the hands.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for chronic left shoulder disability, including seeking records from Parris Island during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, residuals of a skull fracture, and residuals of a right shoulder injury were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was initially rated at 20 percent prior to May 2, 2007 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and worker's compensation information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, verifying stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for left wrist and right shoulder impairments, finding that no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and increased rating for his service-connected disabilities, including a left shoulder disability and costochondritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The issues regarding Meniere's disease with vertigo, keloid scars, and microscopic hematuria were also addressed but are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for right thoracic outlet syndrome prior to April 14, 2009 or from April 14, 2009. The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to April 14, 2009 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining medical records from correctional facilities and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his skin disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted. The previous determination that injuries sustained by the Veteran in a motor vehicle accident on or about April 14, 1982, were not incurred in LOD is considered final.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis and lumbosacral sprain were evaluated, but the appeals for higher ratings were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, PTSD, and learning disorder. The decision is based on the evidence of record at the time of the April 2003 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle condition as of March 17, 2009. The initial noncompensable ratings assigned in June 2004 have been increased to reflect this change.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his right knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable.