Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder disorder, finding that it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of the veteran's low back disability and left shoulder condition. The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities due to the need for further development of evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left shoulder disability, but the case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and clarify certain findings from the April 2000 examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder is being remanded due to inadequate examination and development needs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability is manifested by intermittent complaints of numbness, tingling, and radiating pain. The current range of motion is full with no visible defect or limitation of internal and external rotation. Ankylosis, limitation of motion to shoulder level, dislocation, or nonunion of the clavicle or scapula with loose motion are not shown by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected gunshot wound of the left arm and shoulder, and service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of both shoulders and the cervical spine as secondary to that disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder condition (rotator cuff syndrome) and denied service connection for a right shoulder condition. The veteran's other claims are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an elevated cholesterol level and abnormal EKG finding of bradycardia was also denied.

The VA has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected gunshot wound to the right shoulder, as his disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, as he can perform all self-care independently except for some right hand pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds to the left buttock, arm, and shoulder do not result in any compensable disability rating due to lack of muscle impairment or clinical evidence of scars.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, and thus the claim is granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's left shoulder disability, postoperative status, effective from January 9, 1996 through November 25, 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a June 15, 1988 lumbar injury including degenerative joint disease involving the lumbar spine. The claim for arthritis affecting the shoulders, hips, and ankles is pending.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10% for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and headaches, effective December 8, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of multiple joints, but it is unclear whether this evidence supports a finding of service connection due to the mixed disposition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for residuals of a right knee injury. However, the claims for hypertension with heart disease and other conditions have been denied as there is no evidence showing service connection.