Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritic changes of the acromioclavicular joint with associated impingement involving the left shoulder and for an increased rating for his recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder. The RO granted service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to hepatitis C, but did not grant a higher initial rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical disc disease, but the claim for joint and muscle pain due to an undiagnosed illness remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for increased compensation for his right knee disorder, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that there was an increase in disability within one year of the January 15, 2003 claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right shoulder condition.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not include loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision, nor does he have ankylosis of the knees or hips.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information from the Texas National Guard and an inaccurate statement of law regarding service connection for active duty training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and gunshot wound to his left shoulder do not warrant higher ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing. The case will then be returned to the Board.

The Board has granted initial compensable evaluations of 10 percent for the service-connected residuals of a laceration of the left anterior forehead, cyst of the back, status post excision, and allergic rhinitis. The claim for an increased rating for left shoulder bursitis remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur a disease or injury involving the left shoulder in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection was denied due to his income exceeding the maximum limit set by law for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for status-post reconstructive surgery of the left shoulder.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder injury, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis and bursitis of the left shoulder, finding no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1151 was denied as there is no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing medical care, and thus his claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability requires further development due to missing service records and the need to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, left medial meniscus tear, and left shoulder instability. The RO continued the assigned evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that it first appeared during active military service and has continued to the present.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psychiatric disorder, scrotal abscess, and skin disorders. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded.