Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board granted an increase in disability compensation for service-connected chronic subluxation of the left shoulder, post-operative from 20 to 30 percent effective April 10, 1995. The veteran is now eligible for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits based on this decision.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's post-operative left shoulder disability and did not address his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease of both hips, disability of both shoulders, and neck disability are not well-grounded. The Board has denied these claims previously.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from service. The claim will be denied.

The Board granted an increased rating for bursitis of the right shoulder with right shoulder pain from 30 percent to 40 percent effective February 1, 1995. The attorney is eligible for payment of 20% of past-due benefits awarded due to this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder and ulnar nerve compression, finding no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The increased rating claim for shoulder disability was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to submission of new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions remain not well grounded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including examinations and consideration of applicable court precedents and regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and arthritis of the left shoulder are not well grounded. The evidence does not show a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, right shoulder, as secondary to his service-connected reconstructive surgery, right shoulder, is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, right knee, and right hand disorders are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these current disabilities and any inservice disease or injury.

The veteran's right shoulder and arm conditions are rated at the maximum available rating, with no additional benefits for adaptive equipment.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to Muscle Groups III and IV of the left shoulder, shell fragment wounds to the left temple and right upper arm. The veteran was not granted any compensable evaluations.

The Board found no well-grounded claims for service connection of the claimed conditions as they are not related to active military service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected left shoulder arthrodesis and has denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it was incurred in service. The claim for arthritis of the back, shoulders, neck, and legs is not well-grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service or any incident during service. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for muscular atrophy is denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a torn rotator cuff, left shoulder, with limitation of motion and traumatic arthritis. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a Baker's cyst, left knee, remains unresolved.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for restrictive lung disease, cervical spine disorder (including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The right shoulder disorder is not considered well-grounded due to lack of evidence. Dizziness was also found to be related to service.