Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder and brachial plexus radiculopathy of both arms, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any event in service. The cervical spine disability was granted a 10% evaluation.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the October 1971 rating decision denying service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The veteran's claim is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and neck disorder, as well as his attempts to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for low back and bilateral hip conditions. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability originated during his extended period of active duty and was aggravated by a shoveling injury while on inactive duty for training. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, right ankle sprains, and residuals of left ankle sprains have been denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is pending.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral recurrent shoulder subluxation is well-grounded. The claim for a higher rating for left inguinal hernia disorder is also well-grounded as the evidence shows current disability due to post-operative recurrence of the condition and associated pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder and left shoulder disorder, but denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The veteran's current disabilities are rated at 30%.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to his left shoulder meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating, based on moderate damage to muscle groups II and IV with some weakness and pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disorders did not develop during service, and her arthritis of both shoulders is not related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for her left shoulder condition, chronic low back condition, chronic skin condition, and poor blood circulation condition of the left lower extremity due to a lack of competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and her period of active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, including any associated injury to the spine, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and evidence from the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder injury and hypothyroidism, finding that there was no evidence of any ascertainable limitation of motion. The total disability rating claim based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his hypertension disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. No specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorder. The appeals for an undiagnosed illness manifested by dizziness and aching joints were not well-grounded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right shoulder, right leg and heel, and residuals of a laceration wound of the left thumb, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful activity. The RO must determine if these conditions impact his employability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's pre-existing left wrist disability, diagnosed as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), was aggravated by service. The condition existed prior to her period of active duty and increased in severity during service.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder and heavy sweating of the head and neck due to undiagnosed illness, finding that these conditions were manifested within a year of separation from active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The left shoulder disability claim is still pending and will be evaluated based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current disabilities to service, and also denied a temporary total rating based on hospitalization. The cervical spine disability was presumed as within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current criteria.