Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder and for an initial noncompensable rating for status post rotator cuff repair of the right shoulder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right shoulder separation residuals, and right hand and right little finger injury residuals. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder disabilities, a back disability, ulcers, and headaches. The RO previously denied these claims on multiple occasions without the submission of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of tinnitus. The right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent effective August 29, 1997; lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease at 10 percent; and bilateral eczema at 10 percent. Service connection for tinnitus remains denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine and right shoulder disorders.

The veteran's death was caused by squamous cell carcinoma of the left nose and maxilla with metastasis to the left lung and shoulder. The Board found that there is no reasonable possibility that his cancers were caused by radiation exposure during service, thus denying service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability. The veteran's current right shoulder disability is found to have originated in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is not well-grounded because there is no evidence of a chronic right shoulder condition during or after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and hearing loss. The decision also held that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service connection claims for cardiac disorder, lymph node disorder, left ring finger disorder, left hand disorder, left elbow disorder, and left shoulder disorder were granted. The claim for left knee disorder was also granted as it resolved during service.

The veteran's right shoulder strain was initially manifested in service and is considered to be incurred therein. The Board has granted service connection for the condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, dilated aortic root (which is well grounded), and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders and sacroiliac joints. The claim for increase in rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for left arm pain, right arm pain, leg cramps, and low back pain due to undiagnosed illnesses. The veteran's hypertension claim is pending as additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, finding no competent evidence linking them to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to the combined evaluation of his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond September 1, 1994, due to convalescence from his left shoulder surgery. The evidence did not show that he required further convalescence after the initial period.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a left shoulder surgical repair, effective July 1, 2000. The lumbosacral spine disability remains at 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.