Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's right shoulder disability and neck disability with headaches, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, manifested by complaints of pain and limited motion, does not warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder disorder and lumbar spine disorder were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and review, including reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, loss of sense of taste, DJD of the upper and lower back, and bone spurs of the shoulders have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct service connection.,Specifically, the Veteran has not been diagnosed with these conditions. The medical evidence does not show any association between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total rating based on convalescence and increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of the shoulders, arms, left hand, or lumbar spine. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression is also denied as it was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right clavicle fracture was denied, and he is also not entitled to service connection for left shoulder bursitis as it is considered secondary to the right clavicle disability.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for chronic right wrist, left wrist, and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his right elbow and shoulder disabilities, as well as a claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability was found to not warrant a compensable initial rating prior to May 5, 2008. The VA examinations and treatment records did not show any limitation of motion or functional impairment due to pain.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional functional loss due to pain or repetitive use.

The Board found that the cervical spine disability and shoulder arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to evaluate his claim for a right arm/shoulder disability and determine its relationship to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right middle finger; index finger; ring finger; and hand condition, other than the residuals of fractured fingers.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for rectus abdominis muscle strain with pain is granted.,Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and his right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and sinusitis. The Board has determined that the current VA examination opinions are inadequate to determine whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities, and thus remanded the case for further development.