Shoulder decisions — 2002

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no current neck and shoulder disability other than the already service-connected cervical strain, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his knee, shoulder, and back conditions. The deviated nasal septum was found to be developmental in nature and not related to service. The degenerative joint diseases were evaluated at 10% each.

The veteran's initial 20 percent rating for the residuals of a left shoulder injury remains valid since August 31, 1995. The VA examinations have consistently noted limitation of motion with pain on motion.

The Board has granted service connection for hernia, degenerative joint disease of the back, shoulders, and legs, and filariasis. The veteran's loss of sense of smell, benign mesenteric colon cyst, atrial fibrillation, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and separate ratings for his knee disabilities, as well as for arthritis of the elbows, shoulders, and hips. The decision also noted that no X-rays were taken of these joints.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis, left shoulder arthritis and bursitis, and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative discs with spondylolisthesis was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased evaluation for tinnitus. The Board found no evidence of current right shoulder disability or that any current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for broken right toe, degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with minimal vacuum phenomenon and posterior bulge disc, and residuals of a right shoulder injury as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 10 percent for his service-connected post-operative right lateral meniscectomy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for a shoulder disorder and back injury, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for a back disorder and shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examinations did not find any current disorders, and the medical records do not provide sufficient continuity of symptomatology or link between service and current disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 31, 1997 for the award of nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a reopened claim received on that date.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder separation with malunion, finding that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant a compensable rating or additional benefits.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right and left knees, bilateral pes planus, lung disability, right and left ankle disabilities, lipoma of the left arm and cyst/boil of the neck (claimed as secondary to radiation exposure), right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, and right and left wrist disabilities. The claims were denied on the basis that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a fracture of the right shoulder and distal right leg with 1/2 inch shortening are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a brain aneurysm, left knee, bilateral shoulder, and spine disabilities. The right knee disability was not granted an increased rating.