Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for neck and shoulder disabilities, as well as an increased evaluation for chest wall injury with pneumothorax and fractured rib. The evidence did not support a relationship between the veteran's current conditions and her active military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's right shoulder and thigh scars, as well as his service connection claims based on CUE. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder from January 6, 2003, to August 11, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders, cervical and lumbar disc disease, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are related to his active service. The appeal is granted for these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for scars to the face and left shoulder, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various knee, shoulder, back, and hand disorders. The veteran is advised to provide records of his treatment in June 2005 and undergo an orthopedic examination.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability, claimed as tendinitis, was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's enucleation of the right eye, residuals of a right shoulder injury, and residuals of a fractured left forearm, facial bones, and ribs as secondary to hepatitis.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a higher rating for residuals of a right shoulder shell fragment wound (SFW) to allow for additional development, including VA examinations.

The VA has granted a 20 percent disability rating for right shoulder impingement, effective October 20, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service connected, with no exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond September 30, 2001 due to insufficient evidence showing continued need for convalescence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches and residuals of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities in March 1992, but these decisions became final. The veteran is now requesting that his claims be reopened.,New evidence has been submitted to support both right shoulder and bilateral knee disability claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it warranted no more than a 20 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the limitation of motion of the right arm.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, right elbow injury, and left ankle injury as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that it did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating at any time since November 5, 2002.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for several disabilities, including a right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, right knee disorder, and dental trauma, all claimed as residuals of injuries sustained in a truck accident during service on April 18, 1953. The veteran's claim was reopened and granted effective January 2, 2001.