Shoulder decisions — 2002

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and assigned a noncompensable rating. The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, nabothian cysts, and left Bartholin's gland cyst are all rated as noncompensable under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's low back strain, neck strain, and bilateral shoulder impingement were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist and right shoulder disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbar spine and shoulders, effective from February 22, 2000.

The veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, not his single service-connected right shoulder disability. The veteran does not qualify for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected residuals of a separation, acromioclavicular joint, left shoulder and granted a separate 10 percent rating for a scar on the left clavicle.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) affirmed the initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of both shoulders, as established by service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the shoulders is related to his service-connected shell fragment wounds and grants this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his postoperative shoulder and knee conditions, as well as athlete's foot and migraine headaches. The right shoulder and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5203.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various service-connected conditions, including patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, a left foot spur, and onychomycosis. The effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound to the left mid-scapula and also denied service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder. The Board also found that the cause of death was not caused by or related to any service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for a gunshot wound of the left shoulder and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the initial grant of service connection. The appeal was not about service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his fatal heart disease, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for noncompensable evaluations for his left and right metatarsal fractures, as well as for his excision of basal cell carcinoma of the right shoulder. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at 20 percent, and secondary service connection for a right forearm or elbow disorder cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and chest wall warrant a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's muscle injury residuals of the left thigh are rated at 20 percent, and his right shoulder arthritis is also rated at 20 percent. The combined rating for the right elbow fracture remains at 30 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for entitlement to service connection for flat feet and right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to military service.