Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain and an initial compensable rating for alopecia areata of the thighs and calves due to a lack of sufficient evidence in the record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and right shoulder disability are still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded due to failure to comply with provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the left posterior chest wall and right occipital region, but denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a stab wound to the left shoulder blade and for residuals of a head injury. The veteran was also awarded noncompensable initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The other issues were denied as service connection was decided on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of his claim. The restoration of a separate 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritic changes of the right shoulder is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's right shoulder injury during service and his current right shoulder disorder, which was first noted many years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and to consider DeLuca factors, including pain, weakness, fatigue, and incoordination.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is denied as he failed to report for the scheduled VA medical examination.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the right shoulder, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of the appellant's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right radius. The issue of an increased evaluation for the right (minor) radius fracture remains pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left shoulder, neck, and back disorders. The veteran's service connection claim for these conditions will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for ocular hypertension of the left eye and esotropia of the right eye, but granted reopening of a claim for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The issue of an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the schedular criteria. The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's memory loss, headaches, joint pain, respiratory condition, high blood pressure, and psychiatric disability were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during Persian Gulf service or as undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities of the hands, shoulders, and cervical spine are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected arthritis of the spine, low back strain.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims regarding CUE in the RO decisions of February 1, 1985. The issues have not been properly appealed within the required time frame.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disorder is related to his service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these disabilities were incurred or aggravated by his active military service.