Shoulder Board decisions

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no earlier effective date granted.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder capsulitis, effective from August 14, 1998.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury in August 1979, and his appeal to reopen this claim was denied again in February 1999. The evidence submitted since then does not provide new or material information that would allow the claim to be reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, right shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, which is characterized by severe acromioclavicular arthritis and frozen shoulders.

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating for service-connected left shoulder clavicle fracture and service connection for upper back, left arm muscle group, and left arm nerve disabilities secondary to the service-connected left shoulder clavicle fracture due to lack of well-groundedness.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, finding no causal relationship between these conditions and the veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The claim for a higher rating for the left knee was granted with an evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities cannot be earlier than November 7, 1994.

The VA granted service connection for recurrent left shoulder dislocation and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, effective from September 22, 1999.

The Board finds that the veteran's current right shoulder disorder and bilateral ear disorders (to include hearing loss) were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 1989, and the evidence received since then is not new and material. The claims for psychiatric disability, headaches, allergic rhinitis, residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder, leg, and toe, as well as sinusitis are all denied.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected right shoulder and left arm disabilities, leading to a denial of all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's impotency is resolved, and his cervical spine disability with right shoulder involvement remains at a 10% evaluation.

The Board granted increased initial ratings for chondromalacia of both knees and psoriasis, but denied an increase in rating for rotator cuff tendinitis of the right shoulder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, residuals of Salmonella poisoning, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Board finds that an increased evaluation for the veteran's left arm contusion with bursitis of the left shoulder and probable rotator cuff tear is not warranted, as his current manifestations do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board denied increased evaluations for recurrent dislocation of the right and left shoulders with traumatic arthritis, as there was no evidence of service connection or exposure to known causative agents.

The Board denied service connection for disability of the neck, shoulders and back. The claim for dental disability was also denied as it is not compensable. Service connection for chronic jungle rot and rash was denied. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma of the back was denied.