Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, but denied his claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder and low back disorders, as they are not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the effective date for TDIU remains unchanged.

The veteran's service-connected right ankle and foot disability is rated at 20 percent, while his bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The RO granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected disability compensation ratings for left shoulder bursitis and strain, as well as bilateral ankle chondromalacia. The reasons given were that the preponderance of evidence was against the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability warranted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from when his previously assigned 20 percent rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for neck and left shoulder disorders, but granted increased evaluations for postoperative right shoulder dislocation and degenerative changes of the right acromioclavicular articulation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities were granted by the RO in March 2003 with effective dates of February 27, 1998, March 30, 2000, and January 12, 2000 respectively.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as they predate the effective dates granted by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records, verifying stressors, and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder with limitation of motion at a 20 percent rating, effective February 22, 2001. For the period commencing March 1, 2004, the veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding arthritis of specific joints and to address whether the veteran's degenerative joint disease is related to an injury during active service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current, chronic disability manifested by urinary infections that can be attributed to her period of active military service. Therefore, her claim for service connection for urinary infections is denied.

The veteran's appeal on service connection for a right shoulder disability has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The low back and loss of four fingers of the left hand secondary to a low back disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on a finding that he is permanently housebound, as there was no evidence showing he needed constant help with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, or eating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right shoulder is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed conditions and thus, service connection cannot be established. The veteran's claims for increased ratings are also denied as he does not have any diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bicipital tenosynovitis of the right shoulder is service related, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The low back and neck disorders are being remanded as issues.