Shoulder decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected cervical strain, left hip fracture, and left shoulder bursitis have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not been established.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disability did not originate in or is otherwise related to his active service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence showed that the veteran had pain and instability in his right shoulder but retained nearly full range of motion.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, arthritis, and a disability manifested by throbbing, tingling, and numbness of the hands. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during his period of active duty for training.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including cardiovascular disease due to undiagnosed illness and rhinitis. The effective date of the increased rating for residuals of tonsillectomy was not changed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis. The claims for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, shoulders and knees, as well as hepatitis C remain on remand due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder tendonitis prior to June 7, 2002 and since to June 7, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in clothing wear or tear, thus denying his claim for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have an anal fissure and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for right shoulder, left knee, coccyx, and tinea pedis disabilities are addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, and CTS were all found to be related to his military service. The initial rating of 10 percent for low back disability from October 31, 1996, to April 9, 2001, is maintained.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, bilateral shoulder disorders, and oral disorders claimed as due to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right shoulder and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The right shoulder disability is currently rated at 10 percent, while the left ankle disability was initially rated at noncompensable prior to September 28, 2004, but has since been rated at 20 percent.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current right shoulder disability to service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's right shoulder sfw residuals are rated at 40 percent, effective April 15, 2000.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's left shoulder instability, post operative (non dominant) is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint disorders, including lumbosacral spine disorder, bilateral knee and hip disorders, bilateral foot disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected physical disabilities, and thus, a grant of a TDIU is warranted.