Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board has granted an increased rating for PTSD and has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding new and material evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's sarcoidosis is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling from May 26, 1999.,Prior to July 23, 1996, the right inguinal hernia was rated as noncompensably disabling. From September 1, 1996, bilateral inguinal hernias are evaluated at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right shoulder and upper arm do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection of residuals of a left knee injury, head injury, and shoulder injury are not well-grounded. The appellant's left shoulder condition is found to be due to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder and neck condition as a result of VA treatment, finding that there was no direct causal connection between the claimed injury and some essential activity or function within the scope of the vocational rehabilitation course.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and granted it. The claim of service connection for a back disorder is also granted. Special monthly compensation based on regular need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her period of military service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial in 1993 is not so significant that it must be considered to fairly decide the merits of the claim. New and material evidence has not been submitted, and the claims are denied.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder arthritis is rated at 20 percent from June 5, 1996 to December 30, 1998.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, tension headaches, bursitis of the left shoulder, sinusitis, and neck pain are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active service.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, rated as 20 percent disabling since April 1, 2000, was increased to 40 percent effective January 10, 1992, and February 8, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is not well grounded, and thus denied. The claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is granted as there is competent medical evidence linking current symptoms to an injury noted during active duty.

The VA denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder of the face, feet, and left hand, temporomandibular joint syndrome, locking jaw, headaches, and other unspecified disorders. The decision is based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disorder and left shoulder injury were denied as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The RO granted service connection for a low back disorder, increased the disability evaluation of the left shoulder disorder to 20 percent and confirmed the denial of the remaining claims.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the current rating of 20% is appropriate based on limitation of motion to 90 degrees of forward flexion and no evidence of functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of injuries to his right ankle, left elbow, right knee, and left shoulder, finding that these conditions are related to events in service.

The veteran's service-connected fracture of the right hand resulted in a moderately severe disability. The ulnar nerve pathology of his right shoulder and elbow is secondary to this condition, but the elbow issue was not granted due to lack of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.