Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to an injury sustained in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and low back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence to support higher disability ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for post-operative residuals and recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, and entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, are no longer before the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The current medical evidence does not establish a direct relationship between the in-service injury and the veteran's current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder and assigned a 10 percent evaluation since March 22, 1994. The veteran's left shoulder disability is productive of some limitation of motion but does not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed low back, right shoulder, esophagitis, and bilateral foot disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's skin rash is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and was diagnosed prior to active duty.,There is no evidence of a chronic undiagnosed illness involving numbness of the left shoulder in service records or reviewed medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent legislation and Court actions, including VCAA requirements.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities were denied. The only granted claim was for a higher rating of lumbosacral strain.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 1992 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, which is consistent with their current status.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocations and pain, does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent.

The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to the veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, as many of his conditions were unclear or not thoroughly examined in the provided medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees and shoulders, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The claim for increased rating for psoriasis was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder disorder is related to service and grants service connection for a chronic right shoulder disorder.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a left wrist disability, left arm disability (claimed as left tennis elbow), back disability, sub-deltoid bursitis of the left shoulder, and right ankle disability. The RO also granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of both knees with a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected right knee strain and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder are both rated at their maximum evaluations. The claim for increased evaluation for injury to the left axillary nerve is granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective January 14, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability warrants an increased rating to 30 percent, based on his current range of motion and symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for rotator cuff injuries to the right and left shoulders, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected residuals, right knee shrapnel wound with menisectomy and patellectomy. The claim for an increased rating for the right knee disability remains pending.