Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal from the RO's November 2000 rating decision denying service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, and therefore, the claim is dismissed.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder suprascapular release disability is rated at 10 percent, effective April 11, 2002. The Board found that the current degree of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine, right shoulder, and low back disabilities did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder bursitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's hiatal hernia with duodenitis is not rated higher than 10%.,Both knees have been granted a 10% evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome, and the right shoulder has been denied a compensable evaluation for impingement syndrome.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis and chondromalacia patellae left knee, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The right shoulder disorder and low back disorder are found to be aggravated by the service-connected right below the knee amputation.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it began during active duty for training and is therefore incurred in service. The right shoulder disability claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service records show neck, shoulder, and upper back injuries during active duty. The VA examination confirmed these findings and concluded that it is at least as likely as not that the current conditions are related to events in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent subluxation of the right shoulder is causally related to an injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied compensable evaluations for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder chip fracture and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, finding no functional impairment in either condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of right shoulder disability, which was previously denied in October 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the hands, wrists, and shoulders as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a previous claim. The Board also found that arthritis was not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current bilateral hand and wrist disorder, a current disorder manifested by left rib pain, or residual scarring secondary to an infected epidermal occlusion cyst of the left axilla and surgery on the left upper back for excision of an epidermal occlusion cyst. Therefore, service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including the cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulders, wrists, hands, and knees. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are likely related to injuries sustained during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lung disorder and a left shoulder disorder that are secondary to the veteran's service-connected low back disorder. The effective date is not specified as it was determined that the criteria were not met prior to November 12, 1997.

The Board denied compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder, neck, low back, and middle back disorders claimed to have resulted from VA treatment in December 1985.

The veteran's low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, residuals of a right ankle sprain, residuals of a right fifth finger injury, headaches, and left leg disorder were not shown to be related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder scar and dysesthesia, right arm and ring/little fingers of the right hand as there was no evidence to support ratings higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted a grant of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased evaluation for the veteran's left knee disorder. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is pending.