Shoulder decisions — 2001

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder disorder, finding that symptomatology more nearly approximates nonunion of the clavicle with loose movement as contemplated by DC 5203.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the extent of impairment caused by his service-connected residuals of skin lesions of the right shoulder and left knee.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability was denied as the current evaluation of 20 percent adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain and other symptoms.

The veteran's malignant melanoma of the left shoulder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a triangular fibrocartilage injury of the right wrist and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, but denied service connection for any multiple joint disorder affecting the ankles, feet, left shoulder, or left elbow.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical and shoulder disability. The RO has requested additional information from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding their actions in evaluating the veteran's disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar disc disease and left shoulder separation were denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities. The issue is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher rating than the current 20 percent due to limitations in range of motion, but no effective date is assigned as there are no findings related to this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The right shoulder injury residuals are currently manifested but do not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for reflex sympathetic dystrophy was denied. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, PTSD, and a back disorder were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his service-connected right chest disorder does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new legislation, including a request for additional VA examination records and notification of the type of evidence needed to substantiate the claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for annual clothing allowance was denied as the application was not filed within one year of entitlement.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease, arthritis of multiple joints (excluding right ankle and ring finger), and lung disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied for all issues on appeal.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher initial rating than the currently assigned 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The effective date of these determinations is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left shoulder disorder did not worsen during service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for a current left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder and left hip disabilities are service-connected, with a rating of 30%.