Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic left shoulder dislocation with surgical repair.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The initial disability evaluations for GERD, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and right foot are maintained at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, or bilateral foot disability during active service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including his shoulders and knees, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examination did not show any chronic residual disability from these injuries at separation. The most probative medical evidence does not support a connection to military service. Additionally, there is no evidence showing that the arthritis is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of right (major) shoulder injury do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion is limited to no less than 90 degrees and does not reach the level required for an increased rating under DC 5201.

The veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by pain and limited abduction motion, is rated at 20 percent effective from November 20, 2002. The claim for service connection of low back pain was remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disorder, folliculitis, or residuals of fracture of the right ring finger related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a thorough examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and neck disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected recurrent dislocation right shoulder status postoperative repair of right shoulder (dominant), effective from January 31, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and rating assignments, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen previously denied claims or establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of alternative diagnostic codes.

The veteran's left shoulder disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 17, 2004 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The veteran's claims for higher rating of his low back disorder, service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disorders are being reviewed.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his service connection claims. The RO must develop and adjudicate these new service connection issues before considering the TDIU issue.

The veteran's right shoulder disorder, rated at 20 percent disabling, does not meet the percentage prerequisites for entitlement to TDIU under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's status post rotator cuff repair, left shoulder disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information and requests for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, neck or lumbar spine disorders. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his post-operative residuals of recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder was denied by the Board. The current disability rating is 20 percent.