Shoulder decisions — 2002

The veteran's symptoms have not been linked to service or an undiagnosed illness, and he failed to report for scheduled examinations.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for emphysema, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral wrist condition (claimed as wrist pain).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 30 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations.,The veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left hand are currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting the presence of pain without other significant complications such as ulceration or malnutrition of the scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no medical evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine. The claim for avitaminosis is denied as there is no current evidence of such condition.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability evaluation for the left shoulder condition, effective from July 31, 2000, through October 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are service-connected. The ratings for these conditions have not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder disability, which was previously rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation, based on its manifestations of pain and substantial weakness and fatigability.

The veteran has residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and arm incurred during active duty, which is granted.

The Board granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia and bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, but denied service connection for sinusitis.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's postoperative residuals, arthroplasty involving the right shoulder (rated as 100 percent disabling from October 24, 1994, through November 30, 1995), effective December 1, 1995.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's right ankle fracture, left ankle injury, and right shoulder injury. The rating for bowel incontinence is also granted to a 30 percent level. However, the rating for hemorrhoids remains at noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, but denied service connection for low back, ulcer, right shoulder, cervical spine, and psychiatric disorders. A noncompensable evaluation was assigned for tinnitus prior to June 10, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to the service-connected fracture of the right clavicle and an increased rating for residuals of the right clavicle fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for chronic back, left leg, left arm and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and a shell fragment wound with dysfunctional chest pain, are so severe as to preclude any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has determined that he is unemployable solely by reason of these service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent right shoulder dislocation was denied due to failure to report for a VA examination without good cause shown. The effective date of service connection and the grant of a 10 percent disability rating was granted but not prior to April 18, 1994.