Shoulder decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various shoulder and knee conditions have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability and service connection for diabetes. The right shoulder disability was rated as noncompensable, while diabetes was not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has found that the veteran's service-connected residuals of shrapnel wound to left upper arm and shoulder have been approximated, but did not specify a new rating.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the identity and etiology of any left shoulder disorder.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals concerning entitlement to service connection for loss of sight, chronic sinusitis, and an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities were granted. The current disability ratings are effective from the dates specified.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative residuals of cervical spine diskectomy and fusion at the C6-C7 level and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, finding that these conditions began during active military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation from September 10, 1993 and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from July 27, 1999 for service-connected left shoulder arthralgia.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting left shoulder disorder was aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The RO will attempt to obtain any missing service medical records, schedule the veteran for appropriate VA examinations of his current psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities, and then readjudicate the claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, an increased rating for asthma, and a need for additional medical examinations. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully adjudicate the veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and recent VA outpatient clinic records. A VA orthopedic examination is also required.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and residuals of a right middle finger injury. However, it was determined that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, with the exception of conjunctivitis. The left elbow disability is found to be related to service and rated at 20 percent. Other conditions are also found to be related to service.