Shoulder decisions — 2011

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to either his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability prior to August 11, 2009 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral hips, or bilateral legs during service and no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's symptoms were not noted until many years after service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected noise exposure during combat in Grenada. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease with osteophytes is dismissed because he is already compensated for the symptoms and manifestations of his current cervical spine disorder. Therefore, a separate award for this condition would be duplicative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The deformed right shoulder humeral head with recurrent dislocation claim was not granted, while the PTSD claim resulted in a 50% rating but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities or a right shoulder disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder surgical scar and right thumb disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have left shoulder, right shoulder, or left leg/hip disabilities. The headaches and hypertension are also not service-connected as they did not start during active duty or within one year of separation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff disorder is likely attributable to a post-service dirt bike accident in 1998, and the Board has ordered further development to determine if it is more likely than not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, and WPW syndrome. The claims for diabetes mellitus and WPW syndrome were also not reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left clavicle/shoulder disability was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's post-operative recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion does not warrant an increased evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The case will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement, migraine headaches, and has denied service connection for a pelvic disability. The Veteran's left shoulder condition is found to have begun in service, and her migraine headaches are found to have begun in service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain alone does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of communication from VA and the Veteran provided new contact information. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.