Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hip and shoulder disorders, as well as his increased rating claims for right knee, left knee, and low back strain disabilities. The RO found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands and fingers, right foot, and neck due to lack of evidence during or after service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing and because he requested rescheduling of the hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the appellant has been afforded an opportunity to appear at a new hearing.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied service connection as it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation. The left shoulder tendonitis and bursitis were granted a 20% rating effective November 13, 2003.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability since July 8, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a spinal, left shoulder, or chronic headache disability in service and that these conditions are not otherwise related to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a higher rating of 30 percent, effective from June 21, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and left hip wounds, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of a 10 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and is remanding both claims to further develop the evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims to reopen her service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for respiratory disorder, heart disability, bilateral knee spurring, bilateral foot spurs, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral shoulder degenerative changes as service connection is not established.,However, the Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee spurring, bilateral foot spurs, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral shoulder degenerative changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, right shoulder injury, left shoulder injury, and right hand injury. The claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disabilities and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The appeals were remanded to consider TDIU issues.

The veteran's skin condition is diagnosed as dermatitis and his left shoulder disability is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of impingement syndrome. Both conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have arthritis of the neck, hands, left knee and left shoulder, or chest pain as a result of his service-connected seizure disorder or associated medications.

The appeal is currently in remand status due to the grant of service connection for a low back disability and the need to readjudicate the remaining claims. The Vocational Rehabilitation claim will be reconsidered after these changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability involving his left shoulder, wrist, or depression as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.