Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left humerus fracture residuals with bursitis and shoulder impairment, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability, which was evaluated at 10 percent since January 1991. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left shoulder reconstructive surgery, but denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right knee disorders.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records, verifying military service dates, scheduling an orthopedic examination, and adjudicating the claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection on a direct or secondary basis are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and development.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as finding that his current disabilities are not related to his in-service car accident.

The Board has determined that the current evaluations for the appellant's low back disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not in excess of what is warranted under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that there was no credible evidence supporting the veteran's claimed in-service stressors for post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus denied service connection. For the left shoulder disability, the Board concluded that it did not manifest during service or be related to a service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the right shoulder is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent disability rating. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative malignant schwannoma of the right knee due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and possibly scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities are pending.

The Board found no evidence of current eye, right foot, or right shoulder disorders and denied service connection for all three issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a defect of the insertion of the left pectoralis major muscle, which is considered a direct result of an injury sustained in service. The claim for low back pain remains pending and will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for higher special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to incomplete examination records and lack of medical opinion regarding his ability to care for himself.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, earaches, skin disorders of the legs, heart murmur, herpes progenitalis, granulomatous lung disease, and simple myopia. The issues were not decided on the merits as the theory of service connection was unknown.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for residuals of broken ribs due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a scar on the lower lip and right shoulder strain, as well as his requests for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and 10 percent for dermatitis. The evidence did not support these claims.