Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for recurrent right shoulder dislocations and determined that it was incurred during active duty service. The presumption of soundness with regard to the veteran's right shoulder has not been rebutted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability was incurred during active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to missing service records and incomplete medical history.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, headaches, skin condition, and gastrointestinal problems, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection. The diagnoses provided by VA medical providers indicated that these conditions are related to undiagnosed illnesses or general anxiety.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not have any service-connected conditions as claimed, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left shoulder and elbow disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracic spine disability, and loss of sleep. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or show that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disability did not warrant an effective date earlier than June 2, 2000 for a 40 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis of the hands or shoulders during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a current disability related to these conditions. As such, service connection for arthritis of the hands and shoulders was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to service.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected right shoulder myofascial scapular syndrome and lumbar strain were denied. The case was remanded to the RO due to an issue with service connection for a right forearm and wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and clavicle disability, diagnosed as frozen right shoulder, is due to his service-connected anxiety psychoneurosis.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disability, brain injury residuals, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral shoulder and foot disabilities, chest pains, and hearing loss were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed chronic cervical, lumbar, and shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for gunshot wound residuals to the left shoulder and hand were denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no current diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective December 28, 2001. The decision is based on his physical disabilities since at least January 6, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the case under both old and new rating criteria.