Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, ribs, head, and back injuries due to a motor vehicle accident in service. However, the claims are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these current disabilities to service.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, and thus denied. The appeals were based on various conditions including right shoulder disorder, ear infections (manifested), tinnitus, right hip disorder, PTSD, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and gout.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, and denied his requests for increased ratings for low back and right hip disabilities. The veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded for several of his conditions, including headaches, right shoulder disability, low back pain, bilateral knee disability, impotency, and shortness of breath. The claim for PTSD is considered well-grounded.

The VA determined that the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence showing additional left shoulder disability as a result of surgery performed in February 1992 at a VAMC.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO did not obtain all relevant medical records and a VA examination was needed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, result in a combined rating of 60 percent. The Board has determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an ear disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia) are not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied due to his current disability rating of 100% for schizophrenia, which does not meet the criteria for additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%, nor is he substantially confined to his home.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder dislocation, hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal regarding PTSD is pending.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, arms, and legs. The claim for residuals of a fracture of the anterior-inferior end-plate of T7 was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and low back disability are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability prior to June 30, 1997 and on or after January 1, 1998. The claim for extension of temporary total benefits was granted.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination findings. The RO must obtain additional VA medical records, conduct a comprehensive physical examination, and reassess the severity of his disabilities before deciding on his pension eligibility.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder bursitis, positive PPD conversion, a left hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are not well grounded. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for left shoulder thoracic outlet syndrome, finding that the disability does not warrant a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist disability, hip disability, and right shoulder injury. The initial evaluation for right shoulder injury was granted at 20 percent effective March 15, 1999. No new evaluations were granted for other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well grounded, and to this extent, the appeals are granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims but found them not well grounded. The evidence does not establish current disabilities or a link to service for all claimed conditions.