Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 25, 2002 for grants of service connection for onychomycosis, tinnitus, and disabilities of the right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right hip. The evidence did not support a finding that VA mishandled his pre-separation claims or that he filed an informal claim prior to June 25, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The RO will make arrangements to reschedule the hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability and ulnar nerve impairment, as well as his service connection claims for right shoulder impingement, migraines, and synovitis of the right wrist. The evidence did not establish current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted it. The Board also found that the veteran's low back disability is related to injuries in service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent, the right great toe fracture with hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease at 10 percent, and the left knee patellofemoral compartment degenerative joint disease at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and there is no evidence of record showing that any of his claimed disabilities are related to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. As such, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 20 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left shoulder radiculopathy, left knee ACL injury, and hypertension.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder condition, currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded the case to consider whether there is in fact arthritis of the left shoulder and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, effective from May 1989.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, decreased concentration, memory loss, and sleep impairment as well as joint pain. The evidence does not support a finding of undiagnosed illness or chronic disability resulting from such conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and frostbite of the hands and feet have been denied. The veteran was granted initial compensable evaluations (0% from June 1, 2002 to November 25, 2002; 10% since November 26, 2002) for his service-connected impingement syndrome of the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, a bilateral knee disorder, a neck disorder, and a bilateral shoulder disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability warrants a 30 percent rating based on limitation of motion, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right foot, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder strain and low back condition are not caused by or a result of VA training and rehabilitation services, thus denying his claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's loss of use of the left arm was not caused by VA negligence or carelessness, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting x-ray findings and a need for clarification of the relationship between the veteran's left shoulder disorder and service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, including arthritis, and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, it is denied as there is no credible evidence linking current shoulder disability to service.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow.