Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions. The RO will also consider whether a higher rating or staged ratings are warranted for his spondylolisthesis at L5.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back disability, anxiety disorder, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for chronic low back pain with history of low back strain and recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple tumors, including metastatic melanoma of the left shoulder, as related to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show any exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service and there was no credible medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a right shoulder injury do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure all relevant evidence has been obtained and considered.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his service or his service-connected desiccated disc at L4-L5 with posterior disc bulge. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder bursitis and narcolepsy are not related to his service-connected right wrist disability or any other condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for malnutrition, traumatic arthritis of the right leg, traumatic arthritis of the left leg, traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder, traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder, and varicose veins of the legs due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, which is manifested by limitation of motion and pain on motion, warrants a 30 percent rating.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for injuries sustained during a fall at a VA facility in February 1997, resulting in back and shoulder disabilities. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for defective hearing, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected shell fragment wound scars of the left shoulder and neck, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right shoulder impingement syndrome and bicipital tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, myofascial lumbar paraspinal muscle pain, residuals of a right fifth toe fracture (status post arthroplasty), and breast disease (status post left breast lumpectomy times three).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a stomach disorder, a shoulder disorder, and a neck disorder. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions without any indication of a presumption or secondary relationship to service.