Shoulder Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis in the left shoulder and lumbosacral strain, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

For the period from June 25, 2003 through November 4, 2004, the veteran's left shoulder injury resulted in some limitation of motion but not to a degree that would warrant a higher rating.,For the period from November 5, 2004 to June 4, 2006, the veteran's left shoulder injury resulted in limitation of motion to shoulder level and subluxation of the humeral head. A 20 percent rating is warranted for these symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for impingement syndrome left shoulder, service connection for right thumb metacarpophalangeal joint pain, and service connection for upper back pain. The disability ratings were not granted as there was no evidence supporting a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information in the record, including missing VA medical records and a Social Security Administration (SSA) decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. However, the Board found no current diagnosis of a left shoulder disorder and concluded that there is no nexus between any in-service injury and the current condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a present left eye, right knee, or right shoulder disability as a result of service. The claims for increased ratings are also denied.

The Board found no service connection for the cause of death due to cardiorespiratory failure, and denied DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral knee disabilities or lacerations of the back and left shoulder, which were incurred in service.,No compensable disability ratings are assigned for laceration scars on either hand.

The Board denied service connection for muscle spasms of the neck and shoulders due to a lack of competent evidence of current disability.,The Board also denied service connection for migraine headaches as there was no competent evidence linking these symptoms to service.

The veteran's combined disability rating was not at least 100% for a period of 10 years immediately preceding his death, and he did not have a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability for that same period. Therefore, the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The veteran's service-connected right fibula fracture and left knee strain are currently rated at the minimum levels. Service connection for lumbar and thoracic strains, as well as left shoulder strain, is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred a pulmonary granuloma during service and granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the appellant's other than honorable discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits based on his third period of enlistment, which occurred between August 1978 and September 1980.

The veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under current criteria.,The psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder) is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under current criteria. The RO increased this rating to 30 percent in November 1997.

The Board found that the appellant's left shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service, including his periods of Reserve duty. The evidence did not support a finding that he injured his shoulder during these periods.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for strained right (major) shoulder with slap lesion, lumbar strain, and bilateral tinea pedis as there is no evidence of arthritis or LOM in his right shoulder, full ROM in his back, or any pathology that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disorder, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, does not warrant a higher evaluation.