Shoulder Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tear predated his October 1997 VA surgery, and were not caused or aggravated by the surgery. The RO had previously granted compensation for osteomyelitis of the left shoulder under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, but denied benefits for the other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal regarding the effective date for his service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder and also denied his claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right shoulder. The veteran was granted a combined rating of 100 percent for his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 30% and the right shoulder disability rated at 20%.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals to the left shoulder and neck, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of the current 50 percent and 30 percent ratings, respectively.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, headaches, and right thumb, 3rd and 5th fingers disability. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability or headache disorder within one year of discharge.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening a claim of heart disability and denying other claims due to lack of cooperation with VA examinations.

The veteran's psoriatic arthritis and lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus are rated at the maximum disability levels based on their severity.

The Board found that the January 1988 rating decision denying a compensable evaluation for service-connected chronic subluxation of the right shoulder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus denying the claim.

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining and sustaining substantial gainful employment prior to October 13, 2000. Therefore, an effective date earlier than October 13, 2000 for TDIU is denied.

The Board is reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle, fibrositis of the right shoulder with degenerative joint disease, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, bilateral wrists, and bilateral hands. The underlying merits of these claims will be addressed in a subsequent decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of partial scapulectomy of the right shoulder and residuals of scapulectomy of the left shoulder do not warrant evaluations in excess of 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including review of revised rating criteria.

The Board has found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service. However, the Board has determined that there is no evidence linking current back, neck, or shoulder disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and found that his anxiety disorder and/or personality disorder are not related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (impotence) and a left shoulder disability, but denied service connection for the veteran's urethral stricture disease. The initial compensable rating of 10% for urethral stricture disease is also granted.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have current residuals of a right shoulder injury related to service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal as a timely substantive appeal was not filed within the required timeframe for an April 1995 rating decision regarding increased disability compensation for subacromial bursitis of the left shoulder. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, knees and TMJ due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and basal cell carcinoma/actinic keratoses. The VA found no medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's current left shoulder disability did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.