Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 5200 for limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of loss of head of the humerus, nonunion of the humerus, or fibrous union of the humerus. The maximum schedular evaluation available under this diagnostic code has been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder tension, bilateral hearing loss, and cognitive disorder and neurotoxicity due to solvent exposure. The rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the first left rib, low back condition, and a shoulder disability as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform most basic daily activities without assistance from others.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint pain, finding that his symptoms are due to known diagnoses and not related to his military service.

The Veteran's face, chest, arm, knee, and dental disabilities are not service-connected.,No current diagnosis was found for the Veteran's face or chest conditions. The right and left arms have mild degenerative changes with no current condition diagnosed. Right and left knees have severe osteoarthritic changes aggravated by trauma.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and ensure compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his left shoulder disability is pending.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right shoulder disability was granted and he is now receiving a 40 percent evaluation.,Separate ratings were also granted for the entrance and exit wound scars of the right upper extremity, with a noncompensable rating effective November 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective from October 6, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his military service periods and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. Service connection was granted for some conditions, but no new or material evidence was presented to reopen other service-connected claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current status of his right shoulder disability and its impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, diverticulitis and irritable bowel condition, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), aches and pain in the entire body, bilateral arm pain, and bilateral shoulder pain as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a right shoulder injury or condition during service, and the current right shoulder disorder is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to April 25, 2003 and 20 percent as of August 20, 2005. The right shoulder contusion was also granted a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disease, hand tremors, and joint disabilities are not related to his service or any undiagnosed illness. The hip and ankle disabilities have not been shown to be due to a chronic condition within one year of separation.