Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for blurred vision, neck, shoulder, and back pressure with a pinching condition, and body tremors as secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches.

The veteran's left shoulder disability and left deltoid atrophy are currently rated 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the veteran is entitled to a separate evaluation of 10 percent for his painful left shoulder surgical scar, but denied increased ratings for his left shoulder and left deltoid disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, and his cervical spine disability warrants a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, total disability based on individual unemployability, and temporary total rating due to convalescence from surgery were all denied by the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder, back, left hip, left knee, and right ankle disorders are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions allegedly related to exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. He also wishes to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a hernia disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical and personnel records, as well as other pertinent treatment records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder dislocation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and pleural cavity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board found no objective indications of a chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle and joint pain. The veteran's complaints were attributed to known clinical diagnoses, such as low back strain, cervical strain, patellofemoral joint disturbance, and shoulder tendonitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder tendonitis and cubital tunnel syndrome, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected fracture of the left forearm.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found no current medical diagnosis of a left shoulder disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, or foot rash related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hammertoes and bunions is remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if appropriate.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disorder and residuals of a back injury were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disorder, bilateral knee disorder including arthritis, neck disorder (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, C5-C6), bilateral shoulder disorder, and upper back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis in the right knee and reopened/reinstated claims for left shoulder and neck disorders. The issues of increased ratings for residuals of a right knee laceration and left hand injury, as well as an earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating for the left hand disability are remanded.

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's left ulnar fracture residuals and finds that his chronic left shoulder disorder does not warrant service connection. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded.