Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a higher disability rating of 20 percent for his right shoulder rotator cuff tear, but denied all other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disorder and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, finding that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a connection between the Veteran's current shoulder disorders and his military service, resulting in a denial of his claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder due to a shrapnel wound has been reopened, but his PTSD remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed PTSD, right shoulder and right knee disabilities are not service-connected due to insufficient evidence of inservice stressors.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the August 2002 denial supports reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression. However, both anxiety and left shoulder strain were not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for increased evaluations beyond the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on housebound status due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. He also meets the age requirement for this benefit.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right eye injury with blindness. The claim for bilateral shoulder disorder was denied as there is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease related to this condition. Service connection for a dental disorder was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder bursitis did not result in restricted arm motion to 25 degrees from his side or ankylosis of the scapulohumeral joint, and thus a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, gout of the feet, and gout of the right knee disabilities were not found to be related to his service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent, but his claim for service connection of a bilateral shoulder disability secondary to the cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches, which he claims are related to his service-connected disabilities and/or undiagnosed illness. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notice and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current right shoulder disorder and the extent of his service-connected right elbow epicondylitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any neck and/or right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hyperlipidemia, mild degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and Achilles tendonitis with degenerative changes to the right ankle. The appeals were not addressed as they are referred to the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the right shoulder, low back, and knees were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any current disability and service.