Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left (minor) shoulder and an increased rating for multiple internal hemorrhoids, finding that neither set of criteria was more favorable to the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current mitral valve prolapse or right shoulder bursitis, and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome does not warrant a higher evaluation, and thus denies an increased rating. The claim for TDIU is also denied as there is no evidence showing that his combined service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and right elbow disorders are not service-connected, with the exception of a pre-existing right elbow disorder aggravated during service. The right shoulder disorder is considered direct service connection, while the right elbow disorder is found to be aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder rotator cuff tear status post decompression, finding no evidence of a chronic disability related to service. Service connection was also denied for right knee DJD due to lack of medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, arm, and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's current shoulder disorders are not related to service, but rather are linked to his post-service occupation with the U.S. Postal Service.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to his cognitive decline, physical disabilities, and inability to care for himself. The claim for service connection for schizophrenic reaction will be remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for disabilities of the back and shoulders, finding no evidence associating these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that it is related to the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability. The lumbar spine disability and increased evaluation for the left shoulder disability are still pending issues.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability status post Mumford's procedure with arthritis, effective from April 1, 2000 to January 26, 2001. As of January 26, 2001, the disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board has also granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability as of June 21, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury with torn rotator cuff, finding it at least as likely as not due to the veteran's service-connected left knee fracture. The claim for service connection for the residuals of a right biceps injury remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected shell fragment wound to the left shoulder, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, right ankle disability, residuals of a head injury, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and astigmatism in the April 2002 rating decision. The appeal was not timely filed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The veteran was not granted service connection for a headache condition, hypertension, low back disability, cervical spine disability, shoulder disability, or left ear hearing loss.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities, left shoulder disorders, and lens clouding. The decision did not address the right shoulder disorders.

The Board has remanded the issues related to service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, as well as the rating claims for the scar and ulnar neuropathy. The appeal is pending due to the need to reopen the previously denied claim for arthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left clavicle, finding that his current right shoulder disability is not related to service or proximately due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied reopening the claim for residuals of a left ankle injury and denied secondary service connection claims for disability of the left knee and shoulder. The evidence received since June 1999 did not relate to an established fact of an in-service left ankle injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right shoulder disability claimed as secondary to his service-connected right elbow disability.