Shoulder decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's tendinitis and bursitis in each shoulder were first manifested during service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 29, 1988 for the award of a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right anterior shoulder. The veteran's claim is also granted for a current evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and residuals of a back injury, finding no current disabilities and insufficient medical evidence to link these conditions to active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from maintaining substantial gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left shoulder disorder during service or for years thereafter, and concluded that the current condition is not related to any injury sustained in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current right ankle and neck/shoulder disorders and his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and his left shoulder disability did not occur during active service. The claims for reopening of hearing disability and skin disorder have been granted.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current left shoulder disability and military service, and concluded that his preexisting condition was not aggravated by military service. As such, the appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound of the left shoulder with degenerative joint disease and PTSD, as there is no more than moderately severe impairment in motion or occupational impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings for his right knee and shoulder disorders.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of his right shoulder injury, including arthritis, impingement syndrome, and labrum tears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a 20 percent rating effective from March 19, 1998.

The veteran's service connected disabilities do not require use of braces, a wheelchair, or prescribed medications that cause irreparable harm to outer garments. Therefore, the veteran is not entitled to payment of a VA clothing allowance.

The veteran's right shoulder bicipital tendinitis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent based on more severe limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is service-connected, and he has been granted a 10% rating for his residuals of shell fragment wounds (SGW) of the back and buttock. His right shoulder disability remains at a 20% rating.

The veteran's combined ratings due to service-connected disabilities were in excess of 40 percent for the period from May 6, 1991, forward. The earliest ascertainable date that the veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities was July 13, 1995.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, a body rash, and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The claim for chronic sleep disorder is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because no timely notice of disagreement was filed regarding the evaluation for service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome and bursitis.