Shoulder decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for malaria was granted. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions remain pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected capsular shift of the right shoulder with recurrent subluxations does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his hiatal hernia, left shoulder strain, and fungal toenails. The RO will schedule a hearing at the Anchorage, Alaska, RO before a Traveling Member of the Board.

The veteran's residuals of an acromioclavicular separation of the left shoulder with arthritis are rated at 20 percent effective March 16, 1998.,A hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and a history of a duodenal ulcer is rated at 30 percent from September 29, 1995 to April 30, 1996. It was previously rated as zero percent effective March 1, 1994.,Hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since March 1, 1994.,Coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is rated at 30 percent effective March 1, 1994.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed temporomandibular joint disability, facial nerve damage, and psychiatric disability. Service connection was denied for a neck disability.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for right shoulder impingement and did not grant service connection for blisters of the feet. The veteran's right shoulder condition was found to be limited to subjective complaints without objective evidence of functional impairment, leading to a zero percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a left shoulder injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of cold injuries to the feet, hands, shoulders, and knees. The RO previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign a compensable rating.

The veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a cyst of the right side of the neck, gastroenteritis, an eye disorder, a plantar wart, an injury of the foot, a skin rash, blisters of the hands, and right wrist injury are all granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic recurrent subacromial bursitis of the right shoulder with headaches is attributable to service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and left shoulder have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective October 24, 1995. The claim for an increased rating for arthritis of multiple joints remains in appellate status.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back and left shoulder, maintaining a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left arm disorder and peripheral neuropathy. The remaining issues of service connection for PTSD, a left shoulder disorder, and a skin disorder are addressed in the Remand section.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his medical records to determine the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for a severe wound to muscle group III of the right shoulder is denied as the current rating of 40% adequately reflects his impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and arthritis of both shoulders, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The veteran's cervical disc disease is rated at 10 percent from June 13, 2000, and at 20 percent from May 13, 2000. The right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The right shoulder arthritis is rated at 10 percent from June 13, 1996, and at 20 percent from June 24, 2000.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeals for higher initial evaluations were also denied. The veteran was granted a reopening of his claim for irritable bowel syndrome on new evidence.