Shoulder decisions — 2005

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims. The veteran was also denied service connection for hepatitis.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected limitation of motion of the left shoulder, effective from December 30, 1997.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain of the left knee and left shoulder, as well as back pain, are denied. The Board found that these conditions were not related to active service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5203, but not meeting criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional action, including a VA examination and consideration of all applicable regulations.

The VA denied a request to increase the rating for arthritis of the right shoulder, acromioclavicular joint, status post clavicle resection from 10 percent to a higher level.

The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever and for claimed residuals of exposure to microwave radar emissions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a perforated gunshot wound of the left shoulder was denied, as his condition did not result in functional loss consistent with or comparable to limitation of motion of the arm midway between the side and shoulder level. His duodenal ulcer claim also remained pending.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability warranted a 10 percent evaluation, as it had slight limitation of motion above the shoulder level and degenerative changes. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The VA has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate findings regarding functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigability, incoordination or pain on movement.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic bilateral shoulder disorder, wrist disorder, and hip disorder as these conditions were not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his right elbow and right shoulder disabilities. The RO will then review the claims folder based on de novo consideration.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the case, including obtaining VA medical records from 1992 and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any claimed left shoulder and left knee disorders.

The Board finds that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is likely due to an injury sustained during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by pain, weakness, stiffness, and limited range of motion (no less than 70 degrees from the side), did not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to consider his application to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder, as this may impact his total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability. The case will be returned after further development.