Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for muscle strain of the left shoulder and neck, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right posterior chest was also addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee, low back, and left shoulder disabilities. The conditions are manifested by pain and limited motion without additional functional loss.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm and shoulder disorder, finding no evidence of current disability attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and extent of any current left shoulder and back disorders.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the evidence does not show that a service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disorders, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased rating for PTSD, compensable rating for shrapnel fragment wounds, and service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right shoulder are pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of his left shoulder disability claim, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative muscle disease of the shoulders and arms, hands, and fingers due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and non-service connected pension benefits is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for further examination and hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's left arm and shoulder disorder, as well as his cervical spine disability, are not service-connected. The VA examiners have stated that these conditions are related to his nonservice-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected L3-L4 bulging disc and degenerative joint disease and chronic lumbosacral fibromyositis. The veteran's claims for left arm, shoulders, and neck disabilities as secondary to the service connected condition and an increased evaluation for the lower back disability are being REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder, ankle, and wrist conditions. The initial rating of 20 percent for post-operative adhesive capsulitis of the right (dominant) shoulder was maintained.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for respiratory dysfunction due to a chest wound, and the remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the left foot and reopened the claim for service connection for headaches. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his military service.