Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis in the left shoulder and both hands, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service.

The RO denied an increased evaluation for the left shoulder disability, and the case is being remanded to the Philadelphia RO for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The claim of PTSD is supported by evidence showing it is plausible or capable of substantiation.,The claim for residuals of neck and right shoulder injuries, while new material evidence has been submitted, remains not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for right knee, right shoulder, and right arm and elbow disorders must be remanded to obtain additional development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no basis for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence of nonunion or malunion of the scapula or clavicle.,For both shoulders, there was no evidence of painful motion, functional loss due to pain, excess fatigability, and incoordination. The Board concluded that an initial compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5203 is not warranted.

The veteran's disabilities, including alcohol and substance abuse, left shoulder disability, eating disorder, and psychiatric issues, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was denied because he failed to report for necessary VA medical examinations without good cause.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that his preexisting left shoulder injury did not aggravate during service and thus could not be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not warrant a compensable rating at any point since January 1, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of current right arm and hand disorders, nor any link between the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and his claimed right arm and hand conditions. The claim for a right shoulder disorder was also denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The VA denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a shrapnel wound, status post muscle removal of the right anterior chest muscle with limitation of motion of the right shoulder.

The Board found that the July 1995 rating decision granting service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the left shoulder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus upholding the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is well grounded. The claims of service connection for arthritis of the shoulders and back, including due to herbicide exposure, are denied as not well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar myositis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms.,For his right shoulder tendonitis, the Board determined a compensable evaluation was not warranted due to normal range of motion and lack of objective findings of pain or disability.,Regarding migraine headaches, the Board concluded that a compensable evaluation was not warranted based on the veteran's testimony and examination results.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected left forearm fracture, wrist/hand disability, and shoulder disability. The ratings are based on their respective diagnoses and current functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability in service or continuity since service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating and extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and consider whether the criteria for submission for assignment of an extraschedular evaluation are met.