Shoulder Board decisions

The veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle degenerative joint disease were granted.

The veteran's right shoulder disability has not been productive of complaints or objective findings that would warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability related to his claimed conditions during active service.

The veteran's pre-existing left shoulder disability was not aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and back disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims. The claim for PTSD was remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Achilles tendonitis, gastrointestinal bleed, left shoulder condition, peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for chronic myopathy secondary to the use of steroids for a service connected disability.

The veteran is to be scheduled for a new VA orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current disability of the back, shoulders, and neck, including whether such conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the shoulders and left hip as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not support an increased evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but remanded the claims for higher ratings for the right shoulder and low back disabilities to obtain updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee. However, as of April 8, 2008, the veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and found that the veteran's gunshot wound residuals involving Muscle Group IV were manifested by moderately severe overall impairment, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for residuals of low back, left shoulder and neck injuries, as well as the claim for prostate cancer, due to an inadequate medical opinion from a previous VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder, and left hand disabilities as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within the relevant time frame, and no medical evidence linking them to service.

The veteran's PTSD did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a left shoulder disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against these claims.

The Board found that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but not for hearing loss, a left knee disorder, or subcutaneous lumps. The claims for chronic prostatitis and urinary disorder were denied.

The veteran's service-connected pyelonephritis with hypertension was rated at 60 percent, and he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder was reopened and granted as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The claim for a left shoulder disorder was denied.

The Board remands the case to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, and left shoulder disorder that may be present.