Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability, currently rated at 30 percent for frequent episodes of dislocation and guarding of all arm movements, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation based on Diagnostic Code 5202 (fibrous union, nonunion, loss of humeral head), as there is no evidence of fibrous union, nonunion, or loss of the humeral head. The highest rating available under this code would be 80 percent, which requires loss of the head of the major humerus.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right elbow fracture.

The Board denied service connection for skin rash, upper back disorder, headaches, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, and memory loss and lack of concentration. The veteran's claims were based on his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater during the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left shoulder injury. The claim for secondary service connection for the cervical spine disability was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected sinusitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for the right shoulder, left hand fracture, and knee/lumbar spine conditions but did not assign a rating or effective date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's pre-existing right shoulder disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in winging of the right scapula and associated multi-directional instability. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a nerve injury of the left foot, and a right shoulder disability were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's left wrist disability, which is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected muscle wound of the left (minor) shoulder with arthritis, effective from March 1995.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of a current right shoulder disability, left knee disability, or right knee disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, which is characterized by severe degenerative arthritis and restricted range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder and assigned a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected residuals of a left shoulder injury. The veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis is related to his service-connected residuals of a left shoulder injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, right knee injury, and mechanical low back pain.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right shoulder, with Muscle Group III involvement, as the objective medical evidence showed no more than moderate disability.

The appellant's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his combined disability rating of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder dislocation warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from April 1998.