Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder are service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss and shrapnel wound to the upper chest do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected idiopathic urticaria and left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a back injury, and a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of a left shoulder injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of multiple joints with bilateral total knee replacement contributed substantially to cause his death.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings for his left knee, right shoulder, and right elbow disabilities. The hearing loss disability was also not evaluated as well-grounded.

The VA has maintained a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder, which includes rupture of supraspinous tendon and chronic instability. The current evaluation reflects limitations in arm motion but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities are not well grounded. The claim for evaluation of residuals of a right ankle injury with degenerative changes was granted, but at a noncompensable level.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an anal fissure are well-grounded. The claim for a right shoulder disability is granted, with a rating of zero percent (compensable) based on direct service connection. The claim for an anal fissure is also granted, with a current zero percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of additional convalescence needed following hospitalizations or any new medical findings warranting an increase in disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his post-operative residuals of a dislocated left shoulder and for a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support an increased rating or a finding that the veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they do not render it impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the knees and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder are not service-connected, while his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at a 10% disability level.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral shoulder disability and PTSD are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left shoulder suprascapular nerve injury and cervical stenosis with a history of radiculopathy are not supported by the evidence, as there is no basis to assign compensable or higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of muscle group XXIII of the neck do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or severe intervertebral disc syndrome. The arthritis of the shoulders, however, limits motion to shoulder level and warrants a 20% rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder and therefore, her claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's current arthritis of the hips, knees, right ankle, elbows and shoulders is due to service-connected shrapnel wounds. The claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract disorder, residuals of a fragment wound to the base of the skull, right shoulder condition, and residuals of a right knee injury are not well grounded. The RO denied these claims in February 1955 due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions.

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder and brachial plexus radiculopathy of both arms, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any event in service. The cervical spine disability was granted a 10% evaluation.