Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for low back condition and left shoulder condition, finding that both conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disorder and service connection for a positive PPD test, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder disorder, and chronic headaches are service-connected. The respiratory, sinus, and knee disorders have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back and shoulder disabilities did not begin during service or within one year of his discharge from service, and are therefore not considered to be related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and did not reopen his claims for low back, anxiety, and COPD. The evidence submitted since the 1976 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues having specific rating assignments.

The Board has determined that the veteran's conditions, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, are service-connected for wrists, ankles, elbows, hips, and neck disabilities. The right knee disability is also service-connected. However, the veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome or asthmatic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, including a left shoulder injury therein. As such, service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury is denied.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as his combined rating is only 30 percent.

The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, as they do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative arthritis of the fingers, shoulders, wrists, legs, ankles, feet, low back, or neck that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for PTSD. However, further development of the evidence is needed before the Board can decide any of the claims on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral arm, knee, and lower leg disorders as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The left shoulder disorder was also not granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pseudofolliculitis barbae, defective vision, sleep apnea, pes planus, high pulse rate, asthma with bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, myofascial pain syndrome of the right shoulder, myofascial pain syndrome of the left shoulder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that new evidence was needed to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder and knee injuries, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of an injury to his right shoulder or arm that are attributable to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were granted, with the right shoulder impairment and left knee instability receiving the highest rating of 30%.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized as dislocation with arthritis, warrants a 10 percent evaluation since August 27, 2001. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate based on the current functional limitations of the joint.