Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right brachial plexus injury, effective February 20, 1991. The veteran is also now service-connected for traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder and sensory deficits of the right wrist and hand.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disorder during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disorder. For his rotator cuff syndrome, the Board determined that there was not enough evidence to grant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of postoperative residuals of right shoulder impingement syndrome, a bunion of the left foot, and bilateral defective hearing have been denied as there is no evidence of impairment warranting a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's shoulder damage was not caused by VA treatment and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability or low back disability, and service connection for residuals of a fractured rib is granted. The claim for a left foot disability remains denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and memory loss, finding that there is no competent medical evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for arthritis of the ankles, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders, as well as skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy, all claimed as residuals of a cold injury. The right great toe disability was granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the shoulders and back, claimed as arthritis of the shoulders, hands, and back. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and GERD as secondary to the use of NSAIDs for treatment of service connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The right shoulder disability claim is pending further action.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his back disorder and right shoulder disability. The claim for TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Board determined that the current 30 percent rating for the service-connected left shoulder disability adequately compensates the veteran's disability, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that any current disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability characterized as right shoulder pain, skin rash, or right knee pain related to service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for chest injury, right indirect inguinal hernia and/or right varicocele, defective vision (myopia), and residuals of a left shoulder injury. Service connection was granted for a right ingrown toenail.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, a cervical spine disorder, shoulder condition, and back disorder. The evidence did not demonstrate that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, which is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The decision also notes that this grant of a higher rating does not represent the maximum available under current regulations.