Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities were rated at 20% prior to January 18, 2006. Since then, the right shoulder has been rated at 30%, while the left shoulder remains at 20%. The right knee disability was not addressed in this decision. The left elbow fracture residuals have also remained at 20%. The veteran's scar of the left elbow is now rated at 10%, and his scar of the right cheek has been assigned a rating of 0%.,The veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities were initially rated at 20% prior to January 18, 2006. Since then, the right shoulder has been increased to 30%, while the left shoulder remains at 20%. The right knee disability was not addressed in this decision. The veteran's scar of the left elbow is now rated at 10%, and his scar of the right cheek has been assigned a rating of 0%.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training was denied as he does not have an employment handicap and his existing education and experience are sufficient to secure suitable employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability and remanded it for a VA examination. The veteran's hearing loss claim is also remanded for a VA audiologist evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder injury, knee disorder, tinnitus, finger amputation, and thigh gunshot wound scar, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder, including arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to an injury or disease of service origin.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current, chronic disability related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury in December 1997, finding no current disability related to service. New evidence submitted since then does not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, granted service connection for bilateral hydroceles and orchalgia associated with low back pain, and granted increased ratings for a right knee disability (0% to 10%) and a low back disability (10% to 40%).

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the veteran does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, and thus does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating that claim. As such, the claim is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder swelling, pain in the arm and shoulder, and loss of strength in the arm were not incurred or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a back disability, granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with an evaluation of 30 percent effective August 16, 2005, but denied entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist and is now remanding the issue of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability to include as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability due to additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension for aid and attendance and housebound status due to her inability to meet the criteria for such benefits, as she is not in need of regular aid and assistance or substantially confined to her home.

The Board has denied service connection for a right low back disorder due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury and the absence of continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is granted for inner ear disorders (vertigo and dizziness) secondary to service-connected tinnitus, but further examination is needed as the issue remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the left scapula with rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant was on inactive duty training at the time of his motor vehicle accident in March 1993, and therefore meets basic eligibility requirements for service-connected disability compensation benefits for injuries including cervical spine injury (claimed as broken neck), left shoulder injury, head injury, nose injury, and right facial injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support his assertions of in-service injury or related disabilities.