Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of muscle group III of the left shoulder with secondary osteoarthritis, finding that his current symptoms are consistent with severe disability.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral shoulder tendonitis was denied due to her failure, without good cause shown, to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left shoulder and a scar from that injury, finding no evidence to support higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection of right shoulder, knee, and ankle disorders. However, it determined that the submitted evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening claims for service connection of right knee and right ankle disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and an initial compensable evaluation for shin splints of the left leg as not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, right shoulder disability, and residuals of head injury are denied as they do not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the veteran's status post right knee reconstruction, finding that his symptoms of pain and swelling are analogous to dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The rating for residuals of right shoulder reconstruction remains at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for a right shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The claim is well-grounded as there is credible evidence suggesting that the veteran's current right shoulder condition may be related to his service-connected right elbow injury, though it is not more likely than not aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection in both cases, finding that the claims were not received within one year of separation from service or prior to the liberalizing law's effective date.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected gout is manifested by intermittent pain, swelling, and loss of range of motion in his ankles, left knee, and left elbow. The disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are not well-grounded and have therefore been denied.

The Board has denied all claims for increased evaluations, finding that the veteran's conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on current evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and shoulder disorders are granted as the evidence shows these conditions were present during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent evaluation of his right shoulder disability, finding that no evidence prior to February 7, 1997, supported such a request.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative left shoulder rotator cuff repair does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board granted entitlement to an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee disability effective from January 17, 1996; and affirmed the previous evaluations as to the left knee disability. The right shoulder impingement syndrome remains on appeal.

The Board in May 1973 denied service connection for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder. The veteran's motion for clear and unmistakable error (CUE) review was denied as he did not present sufficient evidence to establish CUE.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA muscle examination to determine the extent of disability attributable to his service-connected gunshot wound, and for appropriate rating adjustments.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gunshot wound of the right shoulder was incurred in the line of duty and service connection for residuals is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the previous denial does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder.