Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative changes (arthritis) of the lumbosacral spine and arthritis of major joints, to include knees, shoulders, and wrists, were not incurred as a result of an incident of active service nor as a result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent evaluation for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a dislocated left shoulder warrant a 30 percent rating, reflecting significant functional impairment and pain.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination of his left ankle disability, and obtaining Social Security Administration records. The claims are also being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected anterior poliomyelitis has caused significant weakness in his right upper and lower extremities, but the evidence does not support an award of SMC based on loss of use due to these conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The claims of reopening service connection for neck and right shoulder disorders have been granted due to new and material evidence submitted since the prior final decisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, as well as bilateral knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, arm disorders, hip disorders, back and leg disorders, tinnitus, hearing loss, abdominal issues, penile numbness, and skin disorders related to herbicide exposure, were denied as there is no current medical evidence of these conditions. The veteran sustained fractures of his left ribs during INACDUTRA in 1991.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current sinusitis, right shoulder disability, or right knee disability. The residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture and lumbosacral strain are resolved with surgeries and no current disabilities are noted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted health care benefits under Chapter 17 of the Veterans' Benefits Act.

The veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by recurrent dislocations and instability, warrants a 30 percent evaluation prior to November 15, 2000. However, there is no evidence of more severe impairment warranting an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied all his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and further examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right ankle disability and denied service connection for a right knee and shoulder disability. The RO had considered these claims on their merits, but the Board found that they should be reopened as preliminary determinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and left shoulder disorder are both service-connected, with no new evidence required for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left clavicle fracture and second/third metacarpal bone fractures, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The Board denied an increased rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right shoulder and scapular region, finding that the veteran's impairment more nearly approximated moderate impairment of Muscle Groups I and III, but no more than slight injury or impairment of Muscle Groups II and IV. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and granted a noncompensable disability rating for subacromial impingement of the left shoulder. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for urticaria (irritant bowel syndrome) is pending.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected myofascial pain syndrome, left shoulder. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating effective January 12, 2000. The claim was remanded multiple times due to procedural issues before the current decision.

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