Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left wrist, left elbow, left shoulder, left hip, right hip, and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to May 1, 2005 for his right shoulder conditions. The veteran's conditions are rated as direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of right and left tibial stress reactions, and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant evidence has been obtained. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle disorder, gastrointestinal/gastroesophageal disability, dorsal spine disability, or bilateral shoulder disability that is service-connected. The lumbar strain condition also cannot be linked to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for myositis of the lumbar spine and service connection for bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disorders, finding that his disability did not warrant an increased rating or service connection based on the evidence provided.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture/dislocation of left sterno-manubrial joint are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while his arthritis of left shoulder and acromioclavicular joints is rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations.

The veteran's SFW of the left shoulder is manifested by a superficial, 1/2 inch scar with no pain or limitation of function. The Board has determined that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board granted service connection and increased disability ratings for various conditions, including a left knee disorder, subdermal pruritis (skin disorder), and a left shoulder disorder. The veteran's initial ankle sprain rating was also increased.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the grant of service connection for instability of the left ankle, as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service injury.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, which was characterized by normal flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, no pain except during temporary flare-ups, and no functional limitations.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a left shoulder disability on either direct or secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus at L3-4 and reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition, right shoulder sprain, and right knee condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the appellant's current left shoulder degenerative arthritis to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for anemia, bilateral hip disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied. The initial compensable rating of 10% is assigned since April 11, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's service medical records were negative for complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses related to a left shoulder condition. Post-service medical records also did not show any pertinent complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses until several decades after separation from active duty. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of an in-service injury and insufficient competent medical evidence linking the current left shoulder condition to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, manifested by intermittent pain and weakness with slight weakness and crepitus of the left upper extremity without loss of range of motion or instability, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.