Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right shoulder strain, bilateral varicose veins, and calluses of the left foot. Service connection was also denied for a right hand disability and PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shell fragment wound residuals of the left shoulder and left hand, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's cervical/brachial type right upper extremity neuropathy and right shoulder sprain with arthritis, effective from May 10, 1993.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is not well grounded and has been remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The veteran's chest pains were not related to his service-connected disabilities, and he was not receiving a total disability evaluation for any service-connected disability at the time of the private treatment. The VA Medical Center in Walla Walla denied reimbursement or payment due to lack of prior authorization.

The Board found no current evidence of a right knee disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is not causally or etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in December 1998 and April 2000, and there is no evidence of record showing that his disabilities render him permanently and totally disabled.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus deformity was not incurred or aggravated during service, and his headaches and subcapsular bursitis of the left shoulder were found to be unrelated to service. The claim for a compensable rating for the left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle since October 27, 1995. The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their specific diagnostic codes in the VA Rating Schedule.

The veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and he also has nerve damage to the left arm which warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is necessary and remands the case for further action, including obtaining service medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's disabilities do not render her unable to care for her daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect herself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. The RO denied entitlement to special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50%, and his left shoulder condition is currently rated at 30%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and hypertension. The only issue that was granted a compensable rating was for the residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a neurological disability of the feet, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's low back disability and discoid lupus erythematosus have been rated based on their severity, with the total rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities being granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and back condition, as well as evaluations for hearing loss, hemorrhoids, left ankle inversion residuals, and bilateral mandibular fracture residuals. The Board found that there was no evidence linking current disabilities to service.