Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's current left shoulder and bilateral eye disabilities and his military service. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied secondary service connection for right shoulder, left knee, left leg, and right leg disabilities all claimed as due to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation for hypertension, vision disorder, and a pinched right shoulder nerve as they were not proximately caused by VA treatment. The RO was instructed to review the record for compliance with this decision.

The Board denied all service connection claims as there was no medical evidence supporting the presence or causation of the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and low back disorder were denied. The claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for shortening of his right lower extremity and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right shoulder disability resulting from VA treatment, finding that there was no additional disability due to such treatment.

The VA has determined that the veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 1, 2000 are eligible for reimbursement due to a medical emergency and because VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for Reiter's syndrome with bilateral plantar fasciitis and arthralgias of knees, sacroiliac joints, and left shoulder is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining recent medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical discogenic disease and an increased rating for right shoulder trauma with impingement syndrome status post surgery, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's postoperative residuals of right shoulder injury with acromioplasty, equivalent to limitation of motion at shoulder level.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, effective from January 28, 2000. The effective date was assigned based on the July 13, 1993 claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that they were already rated appropriately under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for chronic left shoulder disability is denied.,The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU are granted, with the effective dates being August 18, 1997, and November 6, 1996 respectively.,The veteran was found unemployable due to service-connected disabilities as of November 6, 1996.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to February 6, 1995 for the grant of service connection for shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder and right thigh.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance prior to August 27, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder, and back strain. The RO is instructed to provide additional development as requested.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow disorder is not service-connected and his postoperative residuals of right shoulder impingement do not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left shoulder injury warrant a disability rating of 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder strain and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of current disability or etiological link to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were not granted based on secondary service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.