Shoulder decisions — 2002

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement and right wrist CTS, effective from September 2, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's TMJ syndrome and left shoulder disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied both claims.

The Board finds that arthritis of the cervical spine, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show that any current arthritis is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability, including chronic pain and instability, is a result of his inservice injury in February 1992.

The veteran's disabilities render him unable to adequately attend to the needs of daily living without the regular assistance of another person, warranting special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for left shoulder tendinitis and denied entitlement to a compensable evaluation for fibrocystic breast disease.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a traveling Member of the Board and providing appropriate notice.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of neck, back, right shoulder, left shoulder or right knee disabilities and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including headaches, arthralgias, esophageal mass and gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, duodenal ulcer disease, psychological impotence, fatigue, sinus bradycardia, and skin disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability, currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The BVA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of the left shoulder or right ankle related to service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and atherosclerotic heart disease with angina pectoris and essential hypertension, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder injury does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his disability is manifested by slight limitation of motion and no dislocation or malunion.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted with an effective date of July 15, 1996.

The Board denied reopening of the appellant's claims for service connection for right shoulder/arm and right knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional right shoulder disability is denied because the entire right shoulder disability, including surgeries at VA facilities, is already service-connected and compensated.

The veteran's right shoulder and left wrist disabilities have been rated at the minimum (10%) level, with no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee and shoulder disorders, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, have been denied. The RO has assigned the highest available rating (10%) for each condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder, which was previously denied in September 1943. The reopened claim will be further adjudicated.