Shoulder decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder, bilateral hand and wrist, and back disabilities are reasonably due to service or reflect aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his active service, and a new examination and opinion are needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's postoperative left shoulder disability, finding that the impairment did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is the highest possible rating for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects and requests for additional medical records. The veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement and an increased evaluation for muscle contracture headaches are pending.

The Board has granted a 40% evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease prior to March 5, 2001. The reduction of his post-operative lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease from 60% to 40% effective January 1, 2004 was improper. A compensable evaluation for the veteran's chronic right (major) shoulder injury residuals is denied.

The veteran's shell fragment wound scars of both shoulders are currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The RO denied the claims for increased evaluations, finding that the scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for osteoporosis of the lumbar spine with degenerative changes at disc spaces L5-S1, effective from September 1982. The left shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent disabling due to mild impairment and painful range of motion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and secondary service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of current medical evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of staged ratings.

The Board has ordered additional development for the veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and headache disorder due to incomplete information.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee and shoulder disorders were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current symptoms of pain and range of motion.

The Board has determined that additional actions are required to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other applicable laws. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disorder and denied her request for an increased evaluation for her lumbosacral strain disability. The Board concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence linking any current left shoulder symptoms to service, and also determined that the veteran's low back condition did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claim for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability claim is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for low back strain, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder sprain, right ankle sprain, and left knee injury. The VA found no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 19, 2001, for the grant of service connection for residuals of a clavicle fracture with left shoulder rotator cuff injury.