Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic issues, prevent her from maintaining substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder subdeltoid bursitis, effective from June 1960. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, a left shoulder disorder, and skin irritation of the groin. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and potential need for additional evidence. The appeal is currently remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a hand, low back, left ankle, left shoulder, neck, or bilateral hip disorder and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded for specific actions including obtaining Social Security Administration records, clinical records from Fort Carson, and an addendum to the VA examination report.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, manifested by weakness and painful motion, did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a simple fracture of the right metatarsal. The RO is directed to provide additional notification under the VCAA and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and back strain with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder warrant an increased rating from 20 percent to 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected rotator cuff degeneration of the left shoulder (minor) was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and affording the veteran a VA examination to assess his right shoulder conditions. The issues of service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease and right shoulder impingement syndrome are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of increased evaluation for residuals of SFW of the right shoulder.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded for additional examination and development of the claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current rating of 40 percent for the residuals of a stab wound to the left thigh with severe muscle loss, vasgius medialis of the left thigh, MG XIV, and post-operative fasciotomy is appropriate.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability, consisting of a 20 percent rating for neurological impairment and a 10 percent rating for arthritis, resulted in no more than severe incomplete paralysis of the long thoracic nerve. The October 1986 reduction from 20% to 0% was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being sent back to the RO for a comprehensive muscles examination by a specialist in gunshot wounds.