Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran did not have a left shoulder disability during service and that any current disability began after discharge. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to residuals of a dislocated right shoulder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne keloid scars of the face, chest and abdomen, and shoulders and back have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder disability and determined that he is unemployable due to this condition, granting TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence received since the February 1994 rating decision is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for an examination to determine if current right shoulder and low back conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar of the left posterior chest, but denied claims for back and shoulder disabilities. The appellant's scar is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability and back disability. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was partially granted, with a 70 percent rating effective from May 15, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 21, 1992, for the grant of service connection for C5-7 radiculopathy (also diagnosed as left shoulder impingement).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right arm/shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after his military service. The claim for headaches due to head injury is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an extension of his basic period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training due to a lack of evidence showing he had a 'serious employment handicap' as defined by VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder, thoracic spine, and lumbosacral spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the appellant's complete service records, including personnel records and medical records. The RO should also request authorization for release of Dr. Schwiebert's clinical records.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evaluations of PTSD and shell fragment wounds, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess PTSD symptoms and a VA examination of right shoulder and chest wall residuals. The RO will then readjudicate the claims based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, cervical spine disorder (neck injury), left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or left ankle disorder. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, major depression, chronic fatigue with loss of stamina and sex drive, a skin disorder, left shoulder tendonitis, and left hip condition. The evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability. However, the Board concluded that the appellant's current right shoulder disability was not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and records to determine the severity of his cervical spine disability and postoperative scar of the left shoulder.