Shoulder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral shoulder disorder is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dyspepsia does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's additional right shoulder disability is not due to VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The evidence does not support a finding of causation.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the appellant's service-connection claim for a right shoulder disorder, and thus, it is not new and material evidence. As such, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder cannot be reopened.

The veteran's claims for service connection for metal fuel fever residuals, right ear hearing loss, hemorrhoids, arthritis of the hands, arms, shoulders, knees, and ankles have been denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to arrange for an examination.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, the maximum available under the rating criteria. The veteran's other conditions are not rated higher.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and cervical spondylosis were denied. The Board found that the current manifestations of these conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted. He is also awarded a rating of 40 percent for his residuals, status post herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1, effective as of June 5, 2001. The other claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and any injury or disease he experienced during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were found to be not aggravated by active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury and assigned a 20% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability, including arthritis and limitation of motion, is due to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that there was no pending claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability before the current claim was received by VA on February 2, 2000. Therefore, an effective date earlier than February 2, 2000, is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic joint pain as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of such condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, and service connection for his neck disorder. The evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability and an increase in rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service connection claim for eczema was denied. His cystic acne of the face, back, chest, shoulder and left leg is currently rated at 30%. The residuals of his injury to the right index finger are also rated at 10%.