Shoulder decisions — 2002

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and denied entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left thumb injury with scar, right elbow fracture, and acromioclavicular separation of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease (postoperative).

The Board found that the veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and his death was due to depression caused by primary alcohol abuse disorder. The service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking the veteran's manic-depressive/bipolar disorder to his military service.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, nor did any such condition contribute to his death. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, effective from July 20, 1998. The veteran's receipt of Social Security benefits based on old age, survivors' status or disability insurance is properly included as countable income in computation of his pension benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied service connection for right shoulder pain. The veteran's bilateral pes planus with hammertoes is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and increased ratings for the residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left shoulder and cervical strain. The veteran's skin condition is not considered to be related to his military service, while his shoulder disability remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected residuals of an injury to the extrinsic muscles of the left shoulder girdle, reflecting moderately severe muscle injury.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right above the knee amputation and bilateral shoulder strains, have resulted in locomotion being precluded without assistive devices. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any past injuries in service to present conditions.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the arms and shoulders as secondary to a service-connected low back disability, but granted an increased rating of 10% for tinea versicolor.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's post-operative residuals of a dislocation of the right shoulder, effective February 16, 1994.

The veteran's claim for increased rating of shell fragment wound residuals to the right shoulder was denied. The cervical spine disorder is not service connected and arthritis in the right shoulder does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected recurrent right shoulder dislocation, effective from June 18, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation, as they are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for branchial asthma, extraction of third molars (for treatment), umbilical little reducible hernia, generalized arthralgia due to undiagnosed illness, and residuals of a right shoulder separation. The reasons were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 for pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The other conditions are not granted as service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, finding that the disability did not warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent.