Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board found no evidence of a current disability of the neck and left shoulder, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, and shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive airway disease and right shoulder pain, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's enlarged left ventricle was found to be related to his service-connected hypertension. He is also granted service connection for hearing loss in both ears due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for special monthly pension benefits due to a lack of evidence showing that he requires regular aid and attendance or is substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and left fourth finger laceration, with a compensable rating of 10% for the left fourth finger. The veteran's left shoulder disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and tendinitis of the left shoulder have been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle has been evaluated as moderate, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right knee disorder with degenerative arthritis has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder has not been rated compensably.

The Board found that the veteran's right hand disability is not causally related to his service or his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's increased rating claims for his left and right shoulder disorders were denied by the RO in January 2001. The denial was based on the veteran's failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in November 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder pain and upper back pain have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned in each case. The claim for noncompensable tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The RO must consider new evidence submitted since the April 1997 statement of the case and issue a supplemental statement of the case if the benefit remains denied.

The Board finds that the residuals of a left shoulder dislocation originated in service and has persisted since then, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder and arm injury.

The Board found that DJD of the left knee, right knee, and left shoulder did not occur during service or due to a service-connected condition. The claim is denied.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, but granted a 50% rating for PTSD effective October 30, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including bronchitis, bilateral knee condition, bilateral leg pain, concussion, right shoulder dislocation, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1, and bilateral hearing loss.