Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and missing medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for entitlement to separate ratings for left shoulder scars and chest scars, as well as an effective date prior to July 10, 1995 for the grant of service connection for a gunshot wound injury to Muscle Group XXII. The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for neck scars was set at August 17, 1995.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the claims for increased ratings can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's skin disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for various disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to link these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder, and thus denied the veteran's request.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for bilateral inguinal hernias. The right wrist issue remains pending.

The Board has found that the veteran had chronic left knee disorder with degenerative joint disease incurred during service. The veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability within VA's definition of such a condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder, arm, and hand disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical-dorsal spine disability is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the rating schedule, and his right shoulder radiculopathy and left shoulder injury are also rated at their highest levels. No new evidence was provided to reopen service connection claims for pes planus with right bunionectomy, residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and chronic low back disability.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a right shoulder labral tear with arthritis, effective December 20, 1999.

The veteran's severe osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative with marked atrophy of the right thigh and leg associated with residuals of poliomyelitis is currently rated as 60 percent disabling.,The veteran's marked atrophy with winged scapula deformity of the left shoulder associated with residuals of poliomyelitis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertrophic arthritis of the right knee, scar of the right hip, and scars on the right shoulder) prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his service, including multiple parachute jumps. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left shoulder, and inguinal hernia. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for gunshot wounds to his left leg, right shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development of records.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic tendonitis of the left shoulder was not incurred in or aggravated by her military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, but the assigned disability ratings are not as favorable as requested. The initial compensable ratings were denied in several cases.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to VCAA notification issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or shoulder disorders, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims of increased ratings for right and left shoulder disorders are also denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.