Shoulder decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The veteran's bilateral pes cavus with metatarsal callosities is granted a rating of 30 percent, and service connection for back, knee, and shoulder disorders due to the service-connected bilateral claw feet is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating, finding that his conditions are mostly age-related degenerative polyarthritis rather than rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected organic brain syndrome, warranting service connection. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a right shoulder disorder as being related to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left leg disabilities, finding no evidence to support a direct or secondary service connection.

The case is being returned to the RO for readjudication of claims for service connection and a rating for left shoulder nerve damage, left knee and left leg disorder, and a left shoulder scar.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to the need for additional evidence. Your case was sent to the Board's Evidence Development Unit (EDU) for this purpose.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, increased ratings for pes planus and lumbosacral strain with periarthritis, spondylosis and spinal stenosis was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic disability involving multiple joints, including knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. The veteran's arthritis is associated with the inservice lightning strike.

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 analysis.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The veteran's torn rotator cuff and postoperative residuals of a torn rotator cuff, left shoulder were rated at 20 percent effective January 23, 2001.

The veteran's surgery resulted in certain and foreseeable complications such as deformity of the chest wall, chronic pain, scoliosis, and loss of function due to pain. With resolution of reasonable doubt in her favor, she is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has granted service connection for sexual dysfunction on a secondary basis due to diabetes mellitus. The issues of left shoulder bursitis and arthritis of the knees are remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including cervical and dorsal spine degenerative changes, bilateral hip and shoulder disabilities, pes planus, TMJ syndrome, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has reopened both claims regarding service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right hand and wrist, as well as traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder. The reopening is based on new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease compounded by bilateral shoulder impingement was not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records and affording the veteran a VA examination to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected postoperative residuals of a left shoulder repair involving the bicep tendon with a scar on the anterior aspect. The issue of service connection for tenosynovitis of the left biceps tendon has also been reasonably raised, and must be considered in conjunction with the increased rating claim.