Shoulder decisions — 2000

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The left shoulder disability remains at a 10 percent rating. The residual scars of the left popliteal space are not compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU based on his service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 10 percent disability ratings.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is manifested by almost complete functional loss, marked weakness, significant deltoid atrophy, and markedly limited range of motion. The manifestations do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected impingement syndrome of the left shoulder warrants a 20 percent rating, as it more nearly approximates limitation at shoulder level. The other issues have been resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right shoulder injury and PTSD, as well as the restoration of a higher PTSD evaluation. The reduction from 70% to 50% was found not proper.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, residuals of a left shoulder injury and PTSD.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim of service connection for heart disease and determined that a left shoulder disorder was incurred in active service. The claim of service connection for bilateral elbow disorder is not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, neck condition, low back injury, and leg problems all secondary to his service-connected partial amputation of the distal right middle finger.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence relating his current condition to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic fatigue, joint pain in shoulders, hips, and elbows, headaches, back disability, and right knee disability are well-grounded. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected calcific tendinitis of the left shoulder, which was rated at 20 percent disabling. The decision considered the applicability of DeLuca v. Brown and regulations concerning functional limitation due to pain.

The Board denied service connection for a broken collar bone of the left shoulder as not well grounded, due to lack of evidence of current disability and no link between the in-service injury and any current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability and for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left hand.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right wrist disabilities were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability was also not well-grounded due to a lack of nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his chronic low back strain and right shoulder disorder, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for a low back disability on secondary basis, and service connection for a left shoulder disability were denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, including degenerative arthritis, recurrent dislocations and limitation of motion, was denied by the Board. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained.

The veteran's appeal is denied for an increased evaluation for his left elbow fracture and adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder. The claim for a total evaluation based upon individual unemployability remains in appellate status due to its connection with other issues.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes was denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for such a rating.