Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board granted accrued benefits based on a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder. No further legal services were required after the grant was issued, as no additional representation was necessary regarding this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for various musculoskeletal and hearing disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were granted, with the right shoulder disability rated at 70 percent disabling and the left knee instability rated as a separate condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for injuries to the left wrist, elbow, and shoulder are denied. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a fracture of the left ring finger is also denied.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total rating of 100 percent based on the need for convalescence following surgery in March 1999 is granted. The surgery was performed to treat his service-connected low back disability, and he required at least one month of recuperation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for head and left leg injuries, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a right shoulder disorder. The decision also deferred consideration of the total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and missing records. The RO will obtain recent VA examination reports, conduct a VA examination to determine if there is a current gastrointestinal disability related to service, and provide the veteran with a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder and right foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and readjudication, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury and atherosclerotic heart disease with angina pectoris and essential hypertension, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since August 24, 1993. The effective date for the total rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability is set at August 24, 1993.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and a need for further investigation into the appellant's unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, index finger, and hip disorders were granted. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 and 20 percent from February 6, 1996 to July 12, 1998 and July 13, 1998 for residuals of a left shoulder dislocation, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left knee and increased the disability evaluation for neurovascular disturbances of the feet with history of exposure to 10 percent. The veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was received on March 14, 1985. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at this date.

The veteran is seeking special monthly compensation on the basis of needing aid and attendance. The RO has requested a VA medical examination to determine his eligibility for this benefit.

The veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to service connection for various injuries and disorders. The decision is based on the merits of the claims without invoking any presumption or new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral shoulder or cervical spine disabilities and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's left shoulder disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 3, 1997 and increased to 20 percent effective April 3, 1997. The VA determined that the condition warranted a higher evaluation of 30 percent as of March 22, 2000.