Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, and the decision on service connection for left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the right shoulder disability, effective from January 1996. The veteran also received a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for chronic dislocation of the left shoulder was granted, with the effective date set at March 21, 1973.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for back, shoulder, and leg/knee disabilities. With resolution of reasonable doubt, it is at least as likely as not that appellant's bilateral defective hearing was incurred during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for leg, ankle and shoulder conditions secondary to his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to the February 1997 VA surgical procedure and thus, he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing that the current condition is related to injury, disease or event noted during military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and aortic insufficiency. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for a left elbow fracture with degenerative joint disease is pending, as are the issues regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for fractured nose status post septoplasty.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic osteoarthritis of the left thumb and post traumatic left shoulder arthralgia, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during military service. Service connection for burn scars of the left arm is denied as there were no burns.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.,There is no current evidence of a right arm disability, and thus the claim for this issue must be denied.

The veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the left knee, was found to have originated during his active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, blurred vision, arthritis (other than that which had already been service connected), peripheral neuropathy, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision also denied increased disability ratings for certain disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service records and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder disability and left chest wall spasms, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Arthritis of the hands, hips, and left shoulder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to provide proper notice and assistance under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO is required to issue a development letter consistent with VCAA requirements, conduct any necessary development, arrange for VA examinations, review the claims file to ensure compliance with remand directives, and readjudicate the issues.

The veteran's service-connected disability of a fractured left humeral neck with arthritis, status post total shoulder arthroplasty, is rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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