Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's minimal deformity of the lateral portion of the right shoulder is not productive of motion limited to the shoulder level, even when pain is taken into account; nor is there objective medical evidence of malunion or nonunion without loose movement. Therefore, he is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for psoriatic arthritis in his shoulders, wrists, and ankles have been denied as there is no evidence showing the disabilities arose prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection on a direct-incurrence basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned, as his range of motion and other symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of service records and need for additional information regarding the claimed stressor. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated without regard to prior denials.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining physical examination reports from the State Police and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, initial disability ratings, and other issues. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as well as any post-service treatment records are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and back disabilities are not related to military service, while his migraine headaches may be related. The claim for residuals of a head injury is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected shoulder disabilities. However, he does not qualify for housebound benefits as he does not have one disability rated at 100%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical, right knee, lumbar, right shoulder, and right thumb disorders are not related to service. Hypoglycemia is not a disability or disease associated with service origin.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and dental trauma. The denial is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the final July 1988 rating decision. However, the claim cannot be granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current right shoulder disability to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is pending as further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria, vision impairment, ulcers, left arm disorder, left shoulder disorder, left little finger disorder, left hip disorder, sciatica, spine disorder, and right knee disorder, were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings or service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating or higher for his GERD with hiatal hernia, DJD of the right great toe metatarsophalangeal joints with cheilectomy right great toe, and DJD of the left great toe metatarsophalangeal joints and osteotomy left second toe. The Veteran's claims for service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no current diagnoses of any claimed conditions, and thus could not establish a link between military service and these conditions.