Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe headaches and arthritis, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates earlier than specified dates, and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The veteran's depression secondary to painful feet, right shoulder, and neck was denied as well.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis for each claimed condition and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, service connection is denied for all claims.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that the current 50 percent evaluation is appropriate given the evidence of unfavorable ankylosis with abduction limited to 25 degrees.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a psychiatric disorder (major depression) as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected mouth disorder or left shoulder disorder, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a right calf muscle disorder, as well as secondary service connection for a right ankle disability and hepatitis C. The claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The appellant's service connection claims for chronic fatigue and multiple joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness are granted. Service connection is also established for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, with a rating of 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation. The TDIU issue was also addressed and is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for post-operative shoulder impingements, residuals of cervical spine decompression surgery, and a skin disorder presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection was granted for residuals of cervical spine decompression.

The veteran's service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left hip with retained foreign body is granted. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations in excess of 20 percent for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and left buttock, as well as for a compensable rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, are also granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bursitis of the right shoulder, finding that the current evaluation (20%) is appropriate based on the range of motion demonstrated during the most recent VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because there is no evidence of fault on VA's part or that the result was not reasonably foreseeable.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The noncompensable rating for the left wrist condition was granted, effective July 7, 2004.

The VA has denied the veteran's request for a higher disability rating for his right shoulder condition, finding that it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating before July 17, 2001 and as of July 17, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 18, 2003, for a 30 percent evaluation for right shoulder arthritis with history of AC separation due to his failure to appear for VA examinations and provide proper contact information.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% evaluation for recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder was granted, with the effective date set at February 26, 2002.