Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, secondary service connection for claimed back and neck disabilities, and service connection for a claimed nervous disorder. The RO is instructed to ensure compliance with VCAA requirements and provide additional development as requested.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the veteran's arthritis is related to his active service, and grants service connection for arthritis of multiple joints.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of October 26, 1998, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right ankle, hip, knee, and shoulder injuries due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has remanded this matter to consider whether the veteran's service-connected 'scar, shell fragment mid scapula, left ns' should be rated using criteria for muscle injury in connection with the appellant's claim for accrued benefits. The appeal as to entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder for accrued benefits purposes and service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities. The initial evaluations for sinusitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy have also been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for neck, shoulder, and back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to procedural issues and for additional development of evidence.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal of all issues related to service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claims for initial compensable evaluations for various orthopedic conditions. The veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in June 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for lung disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder bursitis, postoperative residuals of a right inguinal hernia, and left eye glaucoma.

The Board has ordered further development in your case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of your claimed disabilities. The appeal is currently pending due to this additional development.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's right shoulder disorder. The case is now being sent back for additional evidence and an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied service connection for the right shoulder disability, finding that it was not established through direct evidence or any other theory of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current left elbow disability, right elbow disability, or lipoma of the right shoulder attributable to military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.