Shoulder decisions — 2000

The veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds no basis for an increased rating.,Prior to May 4, 1995, the veteran was not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his left shoulder disability. The current evaluation of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability and that the left shoulder disability was incurred during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder were denied. The claim for an initial evaluation for right knee disability was also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, which includes recurrent dislocation and degenerative joint disease, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's right and left shoulder conditions have been granted increased evaluations to 20% and 40%, respectively, based on current clinical findings of limited range of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative shoulder condition, including partial denervation of the right axillary nerve and atrophy of the deltoid muscle, warrants a 30 percent rating based on limitation of motion. Service connection for right axillary nerve neuropathy was restored.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and an increased rating for right shoulder impingement. The non-specific dermatitis of the hands remains at a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of a removal of a growth of the right eyelid, and bilateral shoulder bursitis are not well-grounded. The claim for service connection for a scar of the right thigh is granted. The claims for compensable evaluations for left ear hearing loss, left ankle disability, and right thumb scar are denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's service-connected left shoulder disability, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have not been well-grounded, and thus denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the residuals of a low back injury with radiculopathy, effective from the day following the veteran's separation from service. Ratings in excess of 20 percent have been denied for right shoulder strain and left shoulder strain, and ratings in excess of 10 percent have been denied for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for additional evidence to be considered and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to be prepared.

The Board denied claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the veteran's conditions were not related to his service-connected shell fragment wound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a herniated disc at L5-S1, status post diskectomy and increased evaluations for cervical spine degenerative changes with radiculitis and right shoulder bursitis. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a dislocated right shoulder, multiple upper respiratory problems, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an abnormal 'cardio' test. The decision also noted that the veteran did not submit evidence of PTSD.

The Board found that the appellant's claims of service connection for disorders of the right knee, right hip, left shoulder, jaw and bilateral hearing loss are not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence demonstrating a current disability or showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are denied as his conditions have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses and there is no objective evidence of chronic disability.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative left shoulder dislocation residuals do not meet the criteria for a schedular evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities of the arms and shoulders were not shown in service or within one year post-service, and no competent medical evidence linked any current disability to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of hands and shoulders are well-grounded, as there is evidence suggesting these conditions may be related to his military service.