Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it warrants no more than a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right eye vision impairment and bilateral shoulder bursitis, require regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right shoulder disorder, partially frozen with degenerative joint disease, warrants a 40 percent rating as it approximates limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder scar and service connection for both right knee injury residuals and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the veteran did not have a right knee disorder or a current hearing loss disability related to service.

The veteran's sinusitis and left shoulder impingement syndrome are rated at the maximum allowed, while hypertension remains non-compensable. The case is remanded for further evaluation of restrictive airway disease.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection claims and increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left shoulder bursitis and residuals of a back injury were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and left shoulder disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right shoulder strain associated with traumatic arthritis, left acromioclavicular joint and assigned a 30 percent disability rating effective May 16, 1997. The issue of hearing loss is dismissed as the veteran does not manifest hearing loss within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the veteran's right shoulder, which was incurred during active duty training (ACDUTRA). The issue regarding degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is pending as it remains unclear whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities in the conditions listed, and thus denied service connection for all claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the postoperative residuals of left shoulder injury, effective July 17, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to failure to address whether the duty to assist and the duty to notify had been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a right shoulder condition and that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and plantar fasciitis disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The veteran's post-operative residuals of right-sided trigeminal neuralgia are currently rated at 10 percent effective February 10, 2003.,Prior to February 10, 2003, the veteran was not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his post-operative residuals of right-sided trigeminal neuralgia.

The Board found that the veteran did not have residuals of a left shoulder shrapnel wound incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.