Shoulder decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for anxiety disorder and hemorrhoids, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the face is denied. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for cervical spine injury with retained bullet remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a low back disorder. The additional medical evidence supports the veteran's claim of in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an increased evaluation for right shoulder scars. The effective date is set at October 31, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and entitlement to a rating higher than 0 percent for sarcoidosis. The claim for residuals of a left shoulder injury was found not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking current disability to service. For sarcoidosis, the Board determined that the veteran's condition has remained asymptomatic and inactive with no residual disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30% rating effective from March 12, 1997. The appellant's earlier claim seeking service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded due to the failure of proper notice regarding the July 1994 denial.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder clavicle fracture and for service connection for upper back, left arm muscle group, and left arm nerve disabilities secondary to that condition.

The veteran's arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and right shoulder are all service-connected.,Increased ratings for arthralgia of the right knee and left knee have been granted.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for residuals of a right shoulder injury with impingement syndrome and found no compensable evaluation warranted for the nasal condition prior to October 7, 1996. The veteran's current disability picture warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, headaches, residuals of frostbite, neuropathy, and shoulder disorder are not well grounded. The evidence submitted since the final decisions does not provide a sufficient basis to reopen these claims.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disability and found the claim of coccyx disability not well grounded. The veteran's current left shoulder pain is related to an in-service injury, but there is no evidence linking his current coccyx disability to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of malnutrition, left shoulder fracture, or jaw fracture. The Board also found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and nose scars, as well as his claim for service connection for hearing loss. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of both knees and arthritis of right shoulder and low back, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue/memory loss, stomach problems, and shoulder disorder are granted as these conditions are presumed to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf. The veteran's claims for muscle tension headaches and multiple joint arthralgias are also granted under the same presumption.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease and found service connection for headaches, but denied the claims for fatigue and memory loss as well as chest pain and aching joints and shoulder pain due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of multiple joints manifested by pain is well-grounded. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability evaluations for residuals of a lumbar spine injury, right shoulder injury, and cervical spine injury due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The current level of severity of these disabilities could not be determined without updated examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a shoulder disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since March 1974. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for bursitis and subluxation of the left shoulder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after active service.