Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder trauma and scoliosis, thoracic and lumbar spine with recurrent low back pain. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals of recurrent subluxation of the left (minor) shoulder. The RO has requested additional medical evidence and scheduled a VA examination to determine the current severity of the disability.

The veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 60 percent rating from May 1, 1999. The left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder instability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and left ankle disabilities, as well as a separate claim for an increased evaluation of his right ankle disability. The current ratings for these conditions are 20% for the right shoulder and left ankle, and 10% for the right ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder or any other service-connected condition, and therefore cannot grant service connection for such. The claims for increased ratings are denied as well.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability began during his service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his right shoulder injury is currently rated at 20 percent. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date for a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and a compensable rating for his right shoulder injury were granted, with the effective date being January 9, 1998. The veteran was already receiving a 60 percent rating for both knees since December 1, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for her migraine syndrome, coccyx fracture, left breast scar, and fibrocystic breast disorder. The issues of service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder were also addressed but are pending as they have been remanded.

The veteran claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder, donor site, scar and tissue loss as a result of VA medical treatment. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the additional disability or death resulted from VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment.

The Board found no current residuals of a dislocation of the right index finger and denied service connection for this condition. The RO granted service connection for the right shoulder condition associated with scapulothoracic dysfunction, but did not find it to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and limited abduction motion, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 30 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's request to restore his original disability ratings for right foot and shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no material improvement in these conditions under ordinary life circumstances.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a neck disability and pulmonary disability, as well as bilateral hip, ankle, shoulder, knee, and back disabilities. The decision found no evidence of these conditions during service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for acne conglobata and pension benefits were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his acne conglobata, and determined that he was not permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of governing laws and regulations.