Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and shoulder disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for a scar and PTSD, as well as requests for earlier effective dates. The RO is directed to arrange for VA examinations, obtain additional medical records, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disorders, but denied a higher initial evaluation for the left index finger disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back injury, bilateral knee surgeries, right shoulder strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The decision also addressed an increase in dysthymia but did not assign a new rating.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right elbow and right shoulder disabilities was denied. The right elbow had limitation of motion in flexion that met the criteria for a 10 percent rating, but no higher.,For the period April 26, 2002, to December 4, 2005, the veteran received a 10 percent evaluation for his right elbow disability based on limitation of motion in flexion. However, this was not an increased rating as he already had a separate 20 percent evaluation for limitation of motion in extension.,For the period commencing December 5, 2005, the veteran's claim for higher ratings remained denied. The right elbow and shoulder disabilities did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluations.,The veteran was not granted increased ratings for his right shoulder disability as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.,Overall, the veteran's claims were denied with no changes to existing ratings.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions during or after service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome and right Achilles tendon rupture are currently rated at the lowest possible levels (10 percent each), as there is no evidence of arthritis, bony abnormality, or limitation of motion at shoulder level including as a result of pain or dysfunction.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for the award of non-service-connected disability pension is not warranted, as there was no prior informal or formal claim received by VA prior to November 13, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's alopecia areata is related to her active service, but she does not currently have residuals of a right shoulder injury.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 5, 2003 for chest pain and shortness of breath are reimbursed as the treatment was related to a service-connected disability (COPD) and no VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 3, 1997 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder and bilateral shoulder disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to link them to military service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic left long thoracic neuropathy, internal derangement of the left shoulder, and residuals of post-traumatic synovitis with carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist.

The veteran's left shoulder disorder is not deemed to be the result of VA training or treatment, and thus he is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hand disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral eye disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scars of the right shoulder, head, and chest were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The veteran's sole service-connected disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is sufficient to preclude his participation in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation have been denied. The left shoulder disorder claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. Hypertension is not related to service, and there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care. The psychiatric and rectal disorders are also not related to service or VA care. Finally, the residuals of the fracture of the right 5th metacarpal do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for hemorrhoids, neck disorder, shoulder and arm disorder, and stomach disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and examination reports.