Shoulder decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 19, 2003, for a 10 percent rating for sinusitis is granted. His other claims are either denied or continue to be pending based on the evidence currently available.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, a right shoulder disability, a right thigh disability, and chest pain due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back conditions, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee. The claims for DJD for multiple joints are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, diabetes mellitus as a result of service exposure to Agent Orange, impotency due to his service-connected conditions or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a shrapnel wound to the left shoulder, both rated at 30 percent. The VA found that neither condition warranted an increase in rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected gunshot wound to the chest and shoulder, finding that the disability is currently rated appropriately based on its current severity.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities has been withdrawn. The initial rating of 20 percent for each condition remains in effect.

The veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD, nor any other service-connected disabilities as claimed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders. However, the claims are still denied as there is no clear evidence of service origin or aggravation.

The veteran's right shoulder disability, which is service-connected and characterized by pain throughout the entire arm motion with limited motion and deltoid atrophy, has been rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted based on the evidence showing more than midrange motion and significant functional loss due to pain.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities in August 2000, finding no evidence of a relationship to service. New evidence received since then does not establish such a relationship.,New evidence supports the claim that the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to his service-connected left upper extremity disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, knees, and feet. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood claim was also denied.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including removal of ribs and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and chest. The current ratings remain at 40 percent for removal of ribs and 30 percent for residuals of the gunshot wound.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for each of the veteran's service-connected shoulder scars, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, arthritis of the left shoulder, acne, diarrhea, sexual dysfunction, eye disability, and thumb condition. The denial is based on a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder and bilateral shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left arm pathology, including tendinitis of the left rotator cuff or neurological impairment, is related to service.