Shoulder decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and rating of his service-connected shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran does not have arthritis of the right shoulder, secondary to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound to the right shoulder with tendonitis.

The Board found that the November 1953 rating decision denying service connection for nerve injury of the right arm was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's additional left shoulder disability due to VA surgical treatment in February 1999 is granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left shoulder disorder, characterized by marked limitation of motion without evidence of ankylosis or impairment of the humerus, warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from pneumonia and Klebsiella sepsis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and breathing problems, as well as generalized joint pain, bursitis of the hips and left ischium, and shoulder laxity. The Board found no chronic disability manifested by these conditions on examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for shoulder conditions. The left shoulder condition is currently rated at 20 percent, while the right shoulder condition is not considered service-connected.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left eye disability, skin disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the shoulders, knees, and right hip. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected knee disabilities, which cause loss of use of the lower extremities and require constant use of canes or a walker.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left shoulder sprain was denied before October 19, 2000. After that date, the claim was granted with an evaluation of 20%. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The case is being remanded to the RO due to inadequate consideration of functional loss due to pain and other symptoms in the most recent VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in severe isolation and impairment, warranting a 100% rating for the period from August 1, 1991 to October 6, 1992.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for a right shoulder deformity as secondary to his left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a temporary total rating at the 100% rate due to convalescence from his right shoulder surgery, effective November 1, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to an injury sustained during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ptosis of the left eye and rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no competent medical evidence supporting these conditions or linking them to his military service.